A Women's Textbook Initiative in the Vojvodina Parliament

26022015 deki1The Women's Parliamentary Network (WPN) of the Parliament of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina (APV) in collaboration with the Provincial Protector of Citizens - Ombudsman (PPCO) initiated changing of the literature curricula in comprehensive and professional high schools.

In order to draw the experts' attention to the lack of gender perspective in the Serbian language and literature curricula, primarily in high schools, as well as to instigate the necessary change, the WPN and PPCO have organized a round table discussion entitled 'A Women's Textbook Initiative' in the Vojvodina Parliament today. The participants have been introduced the 'Women's Textbook' by Vera Kopicl from Novi Sad, its publication funded by the German Organization for International Collaboration (GIZ).

The book comprises 18 texts of Serbian women writers from the Middle Ages till today. Its concept is in line with the current literature curriculum, so it can be used as a manual or addition to the existing textbooks. Writings of the eminent women scholars and critics on the work of the selected women writers are supposed to contribute to new and varied reading of their literary work, so this textbook could provide a solid base for altering the literature curricula in comprehensive and professional high schools.

'This was the reason why WPN initiated its creation,' said its coordinator Maja Sedlarevic, stressing that the provincial women MPs and WPN members could work towards raising this issue with the national WPN in the Serbian Parliament. 'It could start a dialogue with the representatives of the Ministry of Education because it is the best way to point out the current deficiencies and initiate the necessary changes.'

'The PPCO, as the human rights protection institution, particularly from violations committed by the authorities and public services, has been pointing to the problem of gender discrimination and imbalance in representation of women and men in educational materials for years back now,' said the Gender Equality Deputy Ombudsmwoman Danica Todorov. She warned about the findings of many research surveys that educational materials are anachronous, discriminatory and contributing to the stereotypical presentation of gender roles. This is why it is necessary to promote equal representation of women and men in the curricula and textbooks, avoid traditional representations of women and men, use gender sensitive language in books and educate teachers and students on gender equality. The women's textbook is also a task: to inspire teachers on all levels of education to use it in teaching, as well as decision-makers to put it on the mandatory reading list and work towards changing the Serbian language and literature curricula. 

Vera Kopicl, the author, presented its contents and thanked WPN for its support. Talking about its contents, she referred to her 25 years' high school teacher's experience of facing ever the same problem again and again: the curriculum includes only three women authors - Jefimija, Isidora Sekulic and Desanka Maksimovic. Kopicl concluded that no one has the right to completely neglect one gender.     

Along with Mrs. Valdislava Gordic Petkovic, PhD, a special guest speaker was also the renowned novelist and theatrical director Vida Ognjenovic. She said that the Women's Textbook is not only a big step forward towards gaining more space for the other gender, but also a real contribution to the humanities in jeopardy since it instigates a change of affairs in which one gender dominates, and concluded:

'Education is to a great extent responsible for the state of affairs in literature. Our culture may not deserve this literary work, but must certainly accept it.'