For Women, for All
A teaching unit on violence against women
By Marta Estellés & Christa Napier-Robertson
Year
10-13
Level
5 and above
Duration
8-10 weeks
Learning areas
Social Sciences, Arts (Drama, Visual Arts), English, PE and Health
Inquiry focus
Gender inequality and
violence against women
Description
This teaching unit engages students with broad issues of violence against women, such as misrecognition of women’s work, objectification and physical violence, by connecting these issues with students’ personal experiences of discrimination. It also provides students with an opportunity to explore the socially and culturally constructed nature of (binary) gender norms, including the impact of colonisation on Māori gender roles. The unit concludes with the design of a creative action against gender inequality, which is harmful for all.
Key understandings, knowledge & actions
Identify forms of discrimination against women
Increase awareness of the importance of engaging men in gender equality
Understand how gender norms maintain and normalise inequality between people
Understand the relationship between gender inequality and violence against women
Understand the socially and culturally constructed nature of gender and the impact of colonisation on Māori gender roles
Take action to stop gender inequality and violence against women
Learning experiences
1. The problem of assumption
2. Who do we value?
3. Unpaid work, essential work
4. Talking through pictures: from objects to human beings
5. A place where men go to heal
6. Once were gardeners, once were leaders
7. Social action for gender equality