Main Article Content

Abstract




Gender discrimination remains a major barrier to democratic participation, as it systematically silences or marginalizes certain voices. This article examines how gender-sensitive pedagogy can counteract such mechanisms in higher education by integrating bell hooks’ feminist pedagogy, Paulo Freire’s critical pedagogy, and Jack Mezirow’s transformative learning theory. Using a case study of an international Erasmus Blended Intensive Program (BIP) workshop delivered in 2025 at the University of Sassari (Italy), the paper describes and interprets participatory teaching practices, with a particular focus on the “Gender Box” activity. The empirical material includes students’ visual outputs, observations of group work, and statements made during the facilitated debriefing discussion. The analysis indicates the activation of critical reflection, increased awareness of gendered power relations, and the development of students’ agency, empathy, and solidarity. The article concludes with institutional recommendations for more inclusive learning environments.




Keywords

gender-sensitive pedagogy feminist pedagogy critical pedagogy transformative learning empowerment pedagogika wrażliwa na płeć pedagogika feministyczna pedagogika krytyczna uczenie się transformatywne upodmiotowienie

Article Details

How to Cite
Ryndzionek, M. (2026). Gender-Sensitive Pedagogy in Education:: Theoretical Frameworks and Anti-Discrimination Practices (A Case Study). Educational Forum, 38(Nr 2 (74), 93–110. https://doi.org/10.34862/fo.2025.2.6

References

  1. Akello, S., Osman, A. A. (2015). Education as a practice of freedom: Reflections on bell hooks. Journal of Education and Practice, 6(17), 195–200. https://files.eric. ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1079754.pdf
  2. Bandura, A. (1977). Self-efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. Psychological Review, 84(2), 191–215. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.84.2.191 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.84.2.191
  3. bell hooks. (1994). Teaching to transgress: Education as the practice of freedom. Routledge. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3366/para.1994.17.3.270
  4. Chapin, J., Skovgaard, M., Warne, V. (2020). Gender responsive pedagogy in higher education: A framework. INASP. https://www.inasp.info/sites/default/files/2021-01/ Gender%20responsive%20pedagogy%20Framework%20paper.pdf
  5. Crenshaw, K.W. (1989). Demarginalizing the intersection of race and sex: A Black feminist critique of antidiscrimination doctrine, feminist theory and antiracist politics. University of Chicago Legal Forum, 1, 139–167.
  6. Czerepaniak-Walczak, M. (2006). Pedagogika emancypacyjna. Gdańskie Wydawnictwo Psychologiczne.
  7. FAWE. (2018). Gender responsive pedagogy: A toolkit for teachers and schools (Wyd. 2.). Forum for African Women Educationalists.
  8. Freire, P. (1970). Pedagogy of the oppressed. Herder and Herder.
  9. Freire, P. (2005). Pedagogy of the oppressed (Wyd. 30.; M. B. Ramos, przekł.; D. Macedo, wstęp). Continuum. https://files.libcom.org/files/Paulo%20Freire,%20 Myra%20Bergman%20Ramos,%20Donaldo%20Macedo%20-%20Pedagogy%20of%20the%20Oppressed,%2030th%20Anniversary%20Edition%20(2000,%20Bloomsbury%20Academic).pdf
  10. IPU. (2025, 1 stycznia). Monthly ranking of women in national parliaments. Ranking as of 1st January 2025. InterParliamentary Union. https://data.ipu.org/women- -ranking/?date_month=1&date_year=2025
  11. Judeh, R. (2020, 10 marca). Why true democracy cannot exist without gender equali- ty. Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy. https://nimd.org/why-true-democracy-cannot-exist-without-gender-equality/
  12. Katz, J. (1995). Reconstructing masculinity in the locker room: The Mentors in Violence Prevention Project. Harvard Educational Review, 65(2), 163–174. https://doi.org/10.17763/haer.65.2.55533188520136u1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.17763/haer.65.2.55533188520136u1
  13. Mezirow, J. (1997). Transformative learning: Theory to practice. New Directions for DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ace.7401
  14. Adult and Continuing Education, (74), 5–12. https://doi.org/10.1002/ace.7401 Mezirow, J. (1991). Transformative Dimensions of Adult Learning. Jossey-Bass. Morley, L. (2009). Momentum and melancholia: Women in higher education internationally. W: M. W. Apple, S. J. Ball, L. A. Gandin (red.), The Routledge international handbook of the sociology of education (s. 384–395). Routledge. https://doi. org/10.4324/9780203863701
  15. Nabbuye, H. (2018, listopad). Gender-sensitive pedagogy: The bridge to girls’ quality education in Uganda. Center for Universal Education at Brookings. https://www. brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Hawah-Nabbuye-FOR-WEBSITE. pdf
  16. Shor, I. (1992). Empowering education: Critical teaching for social change. University of Chicago Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7208/chicago/9780226147864.001.0001
  17. United Nations. (2015). Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustaina- ble Development. Department of Economic and Social Affairs. https://sdgs. un.org/2030agenda