Chalk And Chains : Gender Barriers In India's Education System
Ms. Sawa Javed · Raghav Publications
This book offers a comprehensive and critical examination of gender and education with a special focus on the Indian context, while also situating national concerns within global perspectives. It is designed for students, researchers, teachers, and policy practitioners engaged in education, gender studies, sociology, and related disciplines. Through twelve thematically organized chapters, the book explores the complex interactions between gender, society, institutions, and educational processes. The opening chapters lay the conceptual foundation by examining the meaning of gender and its relationship with education in India. They analyze processes of socialization, the formation of stereotypes, and socially constructed gender roles that shape educational aspirations and opportunities. Special attention is given to the persistent barriers to girls' education, including issues of access, retention, and quality, highlighting how socio-economic conditions, cultural norms, and structural inequalities affect participation and outcomes. Subsequent chapters focus on institutional and systemic dimensions. Policy frameworks and government initiatives aimed at promoting gender equity are critically reviewed, alongside the role of teacher attitudes and school culture in either reinforcing or challenging gender bias. The book also examines curriculum design, pedagogical practices, and textbook representations to reveal how knowledge production can perpetuate or transform gender norms within classrooms. The book further addresses critical concerns related to safety and inclusion by discussing violence, harassment, and the overall school environment. It extends the analysis to higher education and gendered career pathways, illustrating how gender continues to influence subject choices, professional trajectories, and leadership opportunities. Emerging challenges such as the digital divide and its gendered implications for access to education are also explored in sail The later chapters adopt an inclusive and intersectional lens by examining gender in relation to disability, media influence, and the formation of gender identity among young people. The final chapter situates girls' education within global debates, comparing international experiences, policies, and best practices. Overall, the book seeks to promote critical understanding, policy awareness, and transformative action toward achieving gender equity and inclusive education at all levels.
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