Education Meets Gender : Tracing the Beginning of Learning Gender, the Search for Identity and Representation in Indian Textbooks

Abstract: Gender equality is something that most countries around the globe are trying to achieve. Education is one of the major factors that can bring about significant change as it can shape young minds to nurture a more equal future. This thesis aims to look at a very specific but important part of the education system: textbooks, by investigating them through the lens of intersectionality and gender roles. The purpose is to identify what the status of Indian textbooks is in terms of gender and intersectional awareness and identify gaps if there are any so that necessary interventions could be designed. The intersections that I will be specifically looking at are gender, religion, caste, disability, and age. I will also be investigating whether these textbooks represent gendered and intersectional identities and if so, in what capacity.