GENDER EDUCATION: AN EVALUATION OF THE IMAGE OF WOMEN IN YEMENI ELT TEXTBOOKS

Abstract

This study evaluates the image of women in Yemeni ELT textbooks. The aim is to find out how women and men are represented in them, and to what extent these books show equality between the two sexes. The results of the study reveal that there is under representation in the number of female characters in the ELT texts, illustrations, dialogues etc., and overrepresentation of males there and that the reference to the occupation of female characters is mainly stereotypical or non-existent. This, however, does not reflect the recent trend in the Yemeni society towards equality between men and women. The study suggests some directions for future research in the field as well as for material writing that would promote equal representation for both men and women.