Women As Cop, Man As Chef: Maharashtra Board Defies Gender Stereotypes

In a bold move, Maharashtra State Curriculum Board, Balbharti, shows illustrations of a man as a chef and woman as a cop. This initiative is said to bridge the gender gap and eradicate all the stereotypes associated with it.

A Lesson Of Equality

Balbharti, the state’s curriculum board, has changed many of its illustrations and text in the past, that have helped set examples of upholding gender equality and project the woman in a more progressive light.

The text and the illustrations encourage the students and teachers to take note of stories and pictures that depict women as pilot and men as chef and other illustrations that can help do away with the rigid social beliefs.

Some Instances

Illustration of a mother cooking in the kitchen and father reading a newspaper has been removed from the school textbooks, as it contributes to gender inequality.

In many instances, a man and women are seen cleaning vegetables and doing household chores together. In another, one woman is seen as a doctor and the other as a traffic cop.

In the past, the symbol of a woman with a veil over her head was taken off. It is soon to be replaced with illustrations of a woman in a formal suit.

Balbharati On The Bold Changes

Sunil Magar, Director at Balbharati, told the media that the idea behind this initiative is to inculcate gender equality in the young minds.

“We here at Balbharati give emphasis on experiments. While drafting the new textbooks, especially for the young ones, we need to see that the content in the textbooks is abreast with structures and changes in the society,” he said.

School Fraternity’s Support

The teachers’ fraternity has welcomed the changes in the textbooks as it focuses on gender equality.

“As a teacher, we have been inculcating the thinking about gender equality among students. With revised textbooks, students from urban as well as rural areas will have a clear understanding that men and women are equal and capable of doing any work,” a teacher told the media.

The teachers’ fraternity has welcomed the changes in the textbooks as it focuses on gender equality.

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