<![CDATA[ABSTRACT Students’ critical understanding of gender equality remains a challenge in learning, particularly when students have difficulty recognizing forms of gender inequality and providing logical reasoning about gender-related issues. This study aimed to improve students’ critical understanding of gender equality through the use of picture media in learning among Class X-E3 students at SMA Negeri 1 Adonara Timur. The study employed Classroom Action Research (CAR), conducted in two cycles consisting of planning, action implementation, observation, and reflection. The participants were 36 students selected using total sampling, in which all students in Class X-E3 were involved as research participants. Data were collected through a critical understanding test, observation, and documentation, and were analyzed descriptively using quantitative and qualitative approaches. The results showed an increase in the mean critical understanding score from 62.5 in the pre-cycle to 74.2 in Cycle I and 86.3 in Cycle II. Learning mastery also increased from 44.4% to 69.4% and 88.9%, respectively. Students demonstrated improved abilities to identify gender inequality, analyze situations, and express opinions and solutions based on the principles of equality. Thus, the use of picture media can improve students’ critical understanding of gender equality. ABSTRAK Pemahaman kritis peserta didik tentang kesetaraan gender masih menjadi tantangan dalam pembelajaran, terutama ketika peserta didik belum mampu mengenali bentuk ketidaksetaraan dan memberikan alasan yang logis terhadap persoalan gender. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk meningkatkan pemahaman kritis peserta didik tentang kesetaraan gender melalui penggunaan media gambar pada pembelajaran di kelas X-E3 SMA Negeri 1 Adonara Timur. Penelitian menggunakan metode Penelitian Tindakan Kelas (PTK) yang dilaksanakan dalam dua siklus melalui tahapan perencanaan, pelaksanaan tindakan, observasi, dan refleksi. Subjek penelitian berjumlah 36 peserta didik yang ditentukan menggunakan teknik sampling jenuh, sehingga seluruh peserta didik kelas X-E3 dilibatkan sebagai subjek penelitian. Data dikumpulkan melalui tes pemahaman, observasi, dan dokumentasi, kemudian dianalisis secara deskriptif kuantitatif dan kualitatif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan peningkatan rata-rata nilai pemahaman kritis dari 62,5 pada prasiklus menjadi 74,2 pada siklus I dan 86,3 pada siklus II. Ketuntasan belajar meningkat dari 44,4% menjadi 69,4% dan 88,9%. Peserta didik semakin mampu mengidentifikasi ketidaksetaraan gender, menganalisis situasi, serta menyampaikan pendapat dan solusi berdasarkan prinsip kesetaraan. Dengan demikian, penggunaan media gambar dapat meningkatkan pemahaman kritis peserta didik tentang kesetaraan gender.]]>
