Effectiveness of a Gender Awareness Program on Gender Equality Awareness among University Students

Abstract

This quasi-experimental research aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a gender awareness program on gender equality awareness among university students. The sample consisted of 50 students aged 18 years and older, who were purposively selected to participate in a four-session gender awareness program. Assessments were conducted pre-intervention, immediately post-intervention, and at a onemonth follow-up. Data were collected using seven questionnaires, with content validity assessed using the index of congruence (IOC) values between 0.67 and 1.00, and reliability determined by Cronbach’s alpha coefficient values between 0.72 and 0.86. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Friedman test for variance analysis, and Wilcoxon Signed ranks test for pairwise comparisons. The results of the study, comparing the pre-intervention, immediate post-intervention, and one-month follow-up phases, revealed that the mean ranks of gender awareness differed significantly in at least one pair at the 0.05 level across several dimensions. These dimensions included: human dignity and gender equality in Thai society (mean rank = 1.51, 2.71, 1.78); roles of women and men in the Thai family (mean rank = 1.61, 2.56, 1.83); roles of women and men in the community/workplace (mean rank = 1.59, 2.84, 1.57); power relations (mean rank = 1.55, 2.84, 1.61); and gender (mean rank = 1.69, 2.74, 1.57). Specifically, the mean ranks were found to be highest at the immediate post-intervention phase. However, no statistically significant difference was found in awareness of the Gender Equality Act. Therefore, it is recommended to organize activities that promote awareness of gender equality, or establish clubs or organizations to foster gender equality awareness among all students, enabling them to learn and understand each other’s attitudes.