UNEQUAL GENDER REPRESENTATION IN PTB URDU TEXTBOOKS: A FEMINIST CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS

Abstract

This research aims to figure out the gender inequality in Urdu Textbooks of Punjab Textbook Board, taught in Punjab, Pakistan. Gender bias is overlooked but important problem in Urdu textbooks. In this research, primary schools textbooks of Grade 1 to Grade 5 are selected for critical discourse analysis. In this research, qualitative research method was applied to collect the data. The images, portrayal of domestic and professional roles, male and female characters and cosmetic bias were taken into consideration for this research. In all five books, the male characters were dominating as there are only 28% female characters were playing their roles. 
The female characters were deliberately shown into domestic chores or domestic situations playing insignificant roles in the stories. The text was mostly biased as showing strength and valour to only male characters, being superman. Textbooks play a vital role in developing children. It is crucial to remove the concealed bias against females from the textbooks to acknowledge the female constructive roles in the Pakistani society, to create harmony among male and female characters to treat them equally.