The Impact of the Human Rights Education Program for Women on Gender Perceptions of Social Work Students

Abstract

Objectives: This study examines the impact of women’s human rights education on improving the gender perceptions (GPs) of social work students. Methods: Experimental group consists of third-year social work students participated in the “Human Rights Education Program for Women (HREP)” within the scope of social work principles and methods II course given in Ankara University, Department of Social Work, whereas control group consists of the same class students who did not participate in the program. Gender Perception Scale was employed as an outcome measure tool in the study in which 65 students participated. The research in question is a quasi-experimental study, where pretest–posttest model is used. The HREP was performed on the students in a total of 12 sessions and each session lasted about 120 min. Results: The research study revealed GP levels of the social work students participated in the HREP were improved. Conclusions: HREP is effective in educating women on human rights; hence, this program should be used to educate female students at universities and create awareness on human rights.