IMAGES aimed to prevent and combat gender inequalities through a training model targeting pre-primary and primary school teachers. The project had the following specific objectives: - to improve the ability of teachers to address curriculum content from a gender education perspective - to raise awareness on gender stereotypes and prejudices and related signs; - to strengthen verbal and especially non-verbal communication skills (with particular attention to image-based communication) to prevent unconscious modes of gender discrimination; - to implement units of assessable learning outcomes; - to raise awareness of gender inequality.
Globally, the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals that states have committed to achieve by 2030. The European Commission has pointed out that no member state has achieved gender equality so far (Strategy for Gender Equality 2020-2025). Gender stereotypes are often spread and replicated also in education, unconsciously constructing rigid roles that cage girls and boys. Gender norms internalised early in life can result in gender stereotypes that lead to profound inequalities. It is still difficult today to find teachers with specific training that provides them with the path to follow, the most suitable methodologies and the signs to consider in order to implement an equitable and inclusive approach in the school environment. The idea of IMAGES is that providing gender equality training to teachers enables them to become aware of their current thinking structures, but also to use an educational approach that is geared towards gender equality.