Supporting the prevention of gender-based violence through early socio-emotional education for children: a service design approach in Colombia

This thesis explores how design can support the prevention of gender-based violence in childhood through social-emotional education. The theoretical framework used considers emotional intelligence, attachment theory, social learning, and the development of social, emotional, and cognitive skills in childhood. From this point, it examines how design can translate theory into practical educational systems. As a result, the product-service system for Colombian public schools, called Caring Bounds, is proposed. Through the pillars of Feeling, Caring, and Imagining, the program promotes emotional awareness, empathy, and respect among children, teachers, and caregivers. It combines participatory learning, teacher training, and family involvement to create emotionally safe and fair environments. Caring Bounds offers a scalable model supported by institutional partnerships, in line with Colombia's recent policies on social-emotional learning. Although its long-term effects require further research, the project demonstrates how design can provide tools to promote the prevention of gender-based violence, making emotional learning a key component in promoting equality and care within education systems.

Questa tesi indaga come l’educazione emotiva possa contribuire alla prevenzione della violenza di genere fin dall’infanzia. Basandosi sulle teorie dell’intelligenza emotiva, dell’attaccamento e dell’apprendimento sociale, esplora come il design possa trasformare conoscenze psicologiche e pedagogiche in sistemi educativi concreti. Il risultato è Caring Bounds (Límites que Cuidan), un sistema prodotto-servizio preventivo pensato per le scuole pubbliche colombiane. Attraverso i pilastri Sentire, Prendersi Cura e Immaginare, il programma promuove consapevolezza emotiva, empatia e rispetto tra bambini, insegnanti e genitori. Integra metodologie partecipative, formazione docenti e coinvolgimento familiare per creare ambienti educativi sicuri ed equi. In linea con le recenti politiche colombiane sull’educazione socio-emotiva, Caring Bounds propone un modello scalabile e adattabile supportato da partenariati istituzionali. Pur richiedendo ulteriori studi sugli effetti a lungo termine, il progetto dimostra come il design possa rendere la prevenzione un elemento strutturale dell’educazione all’uguaglianza e alla cura.