Chapter 5: Integrating Gender into Global Citizenship Education: Content Analysis of Global Citizenship Education Textbooks in South Korea

This chapter analyzes the contents of global citizenship education textbooks developed in South Korea from a gender perspective. Given the serious structural gender inequalities in many Asian societies, this study examined how and what gender equality issues were included in the GCE textbooks. Through a combination of quantitative and qualitative content analysis of texts and illustrations, the study revealed that while it covered comprehensive themes, gender inequality seemed omitted or neglected. The lack of representation of gender equality in the textbooks suggests that gender issues remain marginalized in South Korea, and this pattern may reinforce gender inequality. Thus, this chapter argues that it is essential to recognize gender equality as a major theme of GCE, and special focus is needed in preventing gender stereotypes and creating gender-sensitive curriculum of GCE. Through this practice, GCE can serve to challenge the patriarchal norms embedded in Asian societies and contribute to transformative changes in education and society.