Nurturing Empowering Perceptions: Exploring High School Girls' Perspectives on Gender Equity in Formal Educational Context and Factors Beyond

Abstract

The primary objective of this article is to conduct an in-depth analysis of multiple factors-cultural, religious, and educational—that shape the perceptions of gender equality among female high school students. Focusing specifically on this demographic sample enables a nuanced exploration into how adolescence interacts with these factors to influence their perspectives on gender roles and expectations. This study employs a mixed-methods approach, going beyond the traditional educational paradigms, to include a variety of external influences such as familial backgrounds, religious texts, sociocultural norms, and the overall school environment. The research aims to contribute to the scholarly discourse on gender equality by enriching our understanding of how societal attitudes permeate classroom walls to shape young girls' viewpoints. By doing so, this study aspires to unearth the implicit and explicit messages received by female students that sustain gender imbalances. This serves the dual purpose of not only highlighting these influencing variables but also leveraging this knowledge to develop targeted interventions. The ultimate goal of this research is to formulate insightful strategies that promote a more equitable and empowering perception of girls and, by extension, women in society. These strategies will be rooted in the findings, which delineate the complex relationship between culture, religion, and education in shaping these perspectives. Thus, the research provides practical insights that could serve as foundational elements for fostering a more inclusive and empowering socio-educational environment for female students and women in the future.