The Role of Peer Education in Promoting Gender Awareness in Nigerian Secondary Schools

The study investigates the contribution of the peer education programmes in encouraging gender awareness among secondary schools' students in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, focusing on achieving the SDGs.The quantitative research design was implemented through a case study approach as it would give more detailed insight into the process and implementation and the outcome of gender education initiatives.The population comprised students, teachers, and peer educators in secondary schools where gender awareness programmes were being carried out.Simple random sampling techniques selected the sample of 170 (100 students, 50 teachers, and 20 peer educators).Data collection was through a structured questionnaire.The experts validated the research instrument, which was further tested for its reliability through a pilot study, obtaining a reliability coefficient of 0.85.Data analysis was based on descriptive statistics, comprising means and standard deviation, and an inferential statistics through ANOVA tested at 0.05 levels of significance.The results reveal that peer education programmes greatly increased students' knowledge on gender issues, awareness about gender-based violence, and challenge negative stereotypes.Nevertheless, it also identified several limitations such as a lack of training for peer educators, resource constraints, and deep-seated cultural norms that hamper the effectiveness of these interventions.It recommends comprehensive training for the peer educators, adequate resources, engagement with the community to solve cultural barriers, more collaboration among stakeholders, and continued monitoring and evaluation for sustaining the