GOSPELS OF THE GEM REPORT

In the recent report published by the UNESCO, textbooks have been shown to exhibit ‘covert gender bias’. Women are expressed as passive citizens in an inconspicuous way. Most of us tend to ignore the little things, such as portraying women in the stereotypical professions (fashion, food etc.) and men in police, science etc. This affects men and women alike. The ideals of the society are corrupted and at the same time, the morale of those working in the traditionally unacceptable professions are disturbed. Policewomen, female athletes, male nurses and chefs are still denied the appreciation and acceptance that they deserve.

The statistics are truly shocking. According to the report, in Spain, the share of female characters was 10 pc in primary school and 13 pc in secondary school textbooks. A study of introductory economics textbooks in the United States found that 18 pc of characters mentioned were female, mostly portrayed in relation to food, fashion or entertainment. In Afghanistan, women were almost absent from grade 1 textbooks published in the 1990s. A Malaysian primary school textbook suggested that girls risked being shamed and ostracized unless they protected their modesty. Thankfully, India has fared quite well in this and shows little gender bias in the textbooks. The report appreciates the revision of many textbook images by the Maharashtra State Bureau of Textbook Production and Curriculum Research in 2019 to remove gender stereotypes.

We have come a long way in tackling covert and overt gender bias, but there is a long way ahead. There are several unjust gender stereotypes still observed in our country. Several other countries have yet to achieve the minimum level for providing a just life to women. No country can yet call itself free from this pest of gender bias. Together, however, all nations can call themselves free in a true sense. And all men and women can, too.