UDC 378.4.014.5:305 IMPLEMENTATION OF GENDER MAINSTREAMING IN THE UNIVERSITY ENVIRONMENT: THE GENDER EDUCATION CENTER’S EXPERIENCE

DOI : https://doi.org/10.51706/2707-3076-2025-12-6

Abstract

The scientific review article analyzes the experience of the Faculty of Social Pedagogy and Psychology of Zaporizhzhia National University in fostering a culture of gender equality within the university environment. The establishment of the Gender Education Center represents a response by academic activists to socio-political trends taking place in society. The authors consider the university’s gender action plan as a tool for transforming education in accordance with the principles of an inclusive and safe environment, as well as violence prevention, especially under martial law conditions. The article describes the activities of the Gender Education Center, including its participation in the All-Ukrainian network, collaboration with women’s non-governmental organizations, and implementation of educational and research initiatives. Emphasis is placed on the significance of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 «Women, Peace and Security» in shaping local strategies. The article outlines challenges in developing a gender action plan, particularly the issue of methodology, and identifies gender issues faced by a university located in a frontline zone.

The study showed that the creation of the Center for Gender Education on the basis of Zaporizhzhia National University is an example of an institutional mechanism for integrating a gender approach into the university environment. The Center's activities are carried out within the current regulatory framework, which strengthens its legitimacy as a tool for gender planning. The head of the center works on a voluntary basis. Students and teachers join the center's work on a voluntary basis. One of the key areas of the center's work is the integration of gender issues into educational programs, which corresponds to the principles of gender-sensitive education. Significant forms of implementation of the Center's educational initiatives include holding gender forums, round tables, scientific and methodological seminars, and preparing scientific publications. The prospects for the Center for Gender Education are in the further development of the institutional mechanism for integrating gender issues into the university environment through project activities.