Author: Khondeker Dilshad Haque
DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.70798/Bijmrd/03110040
Abstract: Countless inspiring women have made historic contribution to science but they remained as the neglected pioneers. Their invaluable contributions and discoveries are often being unaddressed in main discourse of science. It is a vicious circle that perpetuate ongoing gender inequality in a historically unfair system. Despite having considerable amount of contribution in scientific development women’s achievements and knowledge in the field of science are deliberately being concealed and unaddressed not only in textbooks, media and academic discourses but also in our literary works and in another forms of art and creation. This conscious denial of facts leads to the cause of silence. There is continued inequality and vulnerability of women in all sectors irrespective of their caste, class, race, religion and region.
Social stereotype which propagates the intellectual inferiority of women than men, fixing their role as primary care giver of family and last but not least ignorance of media and literature in making story about the female role models as a researchers or scientist. Historically, they are being perceived as “other” and remained unofficial in their status.
This work explores an exclusive and comprehensive critique of gender exclusionary practice in Indian science fiction, a field significantly neglected in academic discourse. By integrating literature, history, science education with feminist critique and education policy, the article makes a nouveau contribution to feminist discourse of science fiction and provides a critical roadmap and strategic blueprint for promoting gender-sensitive inclusive literary and educational spheres.
The study also underscores the pivotal role of education, media, and curriculum framework in contesting or challenging gender stereotypes and it has a strong advocacy for a shift and reframing of both literary and scientific narratives to incorporate ethical, rational and inclusive representations.
While analyzing the literary works on science or science fiction through the historical lens the issue of gender dimension often being unaddressed. In its long history of science based literary work women’s historical legacy as scientist, researcher and as strong character of science were not recognized well or completely denied. The drought of female character in science fiction raises many questions. why is this scarcity ? Is it related to our mindset, ideology, beliefs and culture in general? This paper aims to assess and historicise how the role of gender is fixed and depicted in science fiction.
Keywords: Science fiction, Gender, Inequality, Other, Silence, Invisibility
Page No: 312-330