This document provides a comprehensive framework for integrating a gender perspective into university teaching, positioning gender mainstreaming as a core principle of public policy and academic quality. It emphasizes that considering the different experiences, needs, and impacts on women and men is essential in the analysis, design, and delivery of higher education. In line with Catalan legislation (Law 17/2015) and global commitments such as the Sustainable Development Goals—particularly SDG 5 on gender equality—it highlights the responsibility of universities to contribute to more equitable and socially responsible societies.
Developed by AQU Catalunya in collaboration with the Women and Science Commission of the Interuniversity Council of Catalonia, the document establishes guidelines and recommendations to facilitate the effective incorporation of gender perspectives across all fields of knowledge. It is intended primarily for institutional bodies responsible for planning, management, and quality assurance, while also serving as a valuable resource for academic staff, administrative personnel, and students.
The framework is structured around four key components: (1) a review of the European, national, and regional regulatory context; (2) a conceptual foundation explaining the relevance of gender perspectives for teaching quality and curriculum development; (3) diagnostic tools and evaluation indicators aligned with quality assurance processes (VSMA cycle); and (4) practical annexes with discipline-specific examples, learning outcomes, and teaching resources to support implementation.
The document is the result of a multidisciplinary expert working group, which included Inés Sánchez de Madariaga, Director of the UNESCO Chair on GenderSTEAM. Her contribution reinforces the document’s alignment with international research and policy agendas on gender equality in higher education, as well as its commitment to advancing structural change within academic institutions.