GOVT WOMENS COLLEGE M.A.

ROAD SRINAGAR

Name: Rooma Zahoor

Roll no: 17116115
Examination Roll no:1706148
Assignment on : Gender Inequality and national knowledge commission
(2005)
NATIONAL KNOWLEDGE COMMISSION:
Knowledge has been recognised as the key driving force in the 21st century and India’s
ability to emerge as a globally competitive player will depend on its knowledge resources.
To foster change, a systemic transformation is required seeks to address the concerns of
the entire knowledge . This massive endeavour involves creating a for reform of the
knowledge sector that focuses enhancing access to knowledge, fundamentally education
systems and their delivery, re-shaping research, development and innovation structures,
and knowledge applications for generating better . Such a knowledge revolution that seeks
to build and generate quality will enable our country to its human capital – including the
550 million the age of 25. Our unique demographic dividend a tremendous opportunity as
well as a daunting which requires creative strategies for a new oriented paradigm.

Keeping this scenario in mind, the National Knowledge Commission (NKC) was constituted
in June 2005 by the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, under the Chairmanship of Mr.
Sam Pitroda, to prepare a blueprint for reform of our knowledge related institutions and
infrastructure which would enable India to meet the challenges of the future. The Terms of
Reference of NKC are:
1)Build excellence in the educational system to meet the knowledge challenges of the 21st
century and increase India’s competitive advantage in fields of knowledge.
2) Promote creation of knowledge in Science & Technology laboratories.
3)Improve the management of institutions engaged in Intellectual Property Rights.
4)Promote knowledge applications in Agriculture and Industry.
5) Promote the use of knowledge capabilities in making government an effective,
transparent and accountable service provider to the citizen and promote widespread
sharing of knowledge to maximise public benefit.

National Knowledge Commission had a designated time-frame of three years from 2nd
October 2005 to 2nd October 2008, which was extended to 31st March 2009.
ITS RECOMMENDATIONS
ACCESS
Providing access to knowledge is the most fundamental way of increasing the opportunities
of individuals and groups. Therefore, it is essential to revitalise and expand the reach of
knowledge in society. In this context NKC has submitted recommendations on areas such
as Right to Education, libraries, language, translation, portals and knowledge networks.
1)Right to Education: The 86th Constitutional amendment act made the Right to
Education a Fundamental Right. However, to enhance universal access to quality education
for Indian children, NKC recommends that there is a need for a central legislation affirming
the Right to Education. This must entail a financial provision requiring the central
government to provide the bulk of the additional funds needed for realising the Right to
Education. The legislation should also lay down minimum standards of quality in school
education and for it to be effective, the responsibility of the Government at different levels,
must be recognised and made justiciable.
2)Language: In the current scenario an understanding and command over the English
language is a most important determinant of access to higher education, employment
possibilities and social opportunities. NKC therefore recommends that the teaching of
English as a language should be introduced, along with the first language (either mother
tongue or the regional language) of the child, starting from Class I. Further, NKC has also
focused on the need to reform the pedagogy of English language teaching and the use of all
available media to supplement traditional teaching methods.
3)Translation: In a multilingual country, translation should play a critical role in making
knowledge available to different linguistic groups. NKC has recommended developing
translation as an industry and setting up a National Translation Mission with a focus on
promoting translation activities across the country. The Mission would undertake a host of
activities such as setting up a storehouse of information on all aspects of translation,
providing quality training and education for translators, and creating and maintaining
various tools for translation.
4)Libraries: To revamp the Library and Information Services (LIS) sector NKC has
recommended a comprehensive census of libraries, modernising management of libraries
to ensure greater community participation, including models for public private
partnerships in LIS development and leveraging ICT for various applications. For sustained
attention to the sector, NKC has recommended the setting up of an independent National
Commission on Libraries which would streamline all development initiatives in the sector.

CONCEPTS
Knowledge concepts are organised and disseminated through the education system.
Education is the key enabler for the development of an individual and for altering the
socio-economic landscape of a country. Therefore, NKC’s work has focused on revamping
the education sector. NKC’s concern with many aspects of the Indian education system
covers school education, higher education, professional education, and vocational
education.
School Education: Making access to good school education a reality will require major
expansion at the elementary and secondary levels and improvement in the quality of
schools. NKC has therefore proposed generational changes in the school system which
would encourage decentralisation, local autonomy in management of schools, and
flexibility in disbursal of funds. To improve quality and generate accountability, NKC has
also recommended improving school infrastructure and revamping school inspection with
a greater role for local stakeholders and greater transparency in the system. Further,
wherever feasible, Information and Communication Technology should be made more
accessible to teachers, students and the administration. NKC has also emphasised the need
for reforms in the curriculum and examination systems by moving away from rote learning
to a critical understanding of concepts and finally improvement in faculty.
Vocational education and training (VET): To improve vocational education and training
(VET), NKC’s recommendations focus on increasing the flexibility of VET within the
mainstream education system. NKC has also emphasised the need to expand capacity
through innovative delivery models, including robust public private partnerships. Given
that only 7 per cent of the country’s labour force is in the organised sector, enhancing
training options available for the unorganised and informal sector will be critical for
enhancing the productivity of the bulk of our working population. It is necessary to ensure
a robust regulatory and accreditation framework, along with proper certification of
vocational education and training. This will allow easier mobility into higher education
streams, enhancing the value of such training.
More Talented Students in Maths and Science: To rejuvenate science education and
research in the country NKC considers it crucial to attract more students in maths and
science. To encourage this, NKC has recommended launching a massive science outreach
program, upgrading available infrastructure, revitalising the teaching profession and
revamping teacher training at all levels.

CREATION
Producing new knowledge and protecting existing resources is critical for a nation to
compete in the global knowledge economy. This makes it important to consider all
activities that lead to the creation of knowledge directly or help in protecting the
knowledge that is created. NKC has therefore examined issues such as innovation systems
in the country, science and technology activities and the regime of Intellectual Property
Rights.
Intellectual Property Rights: For India to become a global knowledge leader, we would
need to be at the forefront of creating knowledge. This requires a favourable eco-system
that not only protects the ingenuity of the creator but also rewards knowledge creation
through commercial applications. In order to facilitate the creation of knowledge NKC has
recommended scaling up efforts to build a world class IPR infrastructure, including steps to
modernise the patent offices and building global standards. IPR training in IP Offices as
well as in educational institutions needs to be intensified, and IPR Cells need to be
developed. In addition, NKC has recommended establishing new structures such as a
separate IPR Tribunal, a national institution for cutting edge IPR policy and a Global
Technology Acquisition Fund. NKC recommendations also highlight the need to protect
traditional knowledge, create incentives for it and also explore mechanisms for
identification of key IPR issues in new technology areas
National Science and Social Science Foundation:
A National Science and Social Science Foundation (NSSSF) has been recommended by NKC
to look at all knowledge as one seamless entity. The objectives of the NSSSF would be to
suggest policy initiatives to make India a leader in the creation and use of new knowledge
in all areas of natural, physical, agricultural, health, and social sciences.
Innovation: Innovation is a key driver of growth based on knowledge inputs. NKC
conducted an extensive survey on the status of innovation in the country. NKC’s Innovation
Survey reveals that innovation is emerging as one of the key factors in India’s economic
growth, where both large firms and SMEs have increased innovation related revenues. The
strategic prioritisation of innovation has also increased significantly since the start of
economic liberalisation. Crucial firm level structures and processes play a key role in
innovation, but skill shortage arising out of lack of emphasis on experimentation/problem
solving in the curricula is a critical barrier. There is also need for more effective synergy
between industry, government, the educational system, R&D environment and the
consumer.

APPLICATIONS
Knowledge can be productively applied to promote technological change, enhance quality
of life and facilitate reliable and regular flow of information. This requires significant
investment in goal-oriented research and development along with delivery models that can
simplify processes within an industry. Initiatives in the areas of agriculture, labour and
traditional knowledge can demonstrate that knowledge can be very effectively applied for
the betterment of the community.
Traditional Health Systems: India has an immensely rich and complex indigenous
medical heritage. NKC has recommended that major efforts be undertaken to provide
quality education in traditional medicine. Evidence-based approaches should also be
introduced into the current educational framework, possibly through institutions of the
standard of IISc, IIT and AIIMS, with commensurate financial outlays. NKC
recommendations focus on the need for strengthening research through concerted higher
investments and more rigorous methodologies, ensuring internationally acceptable
standardisation and documentation of herbal medications, promoting clinical trials, along
with adhering to a world-class certification process. Another aspect highlighted in the NKC
recommendations is the need to create a suitable IPR framework for better protection of
the sources of traditional medical knowledge, while at the same time ensuring that
sufficient incentives are created for commercialisation of traditional medicines.
Enhancing Quality of Life: NKC has focused on knowledge applications for enhancing the
well being of common people, especially in rural areas. Towards this end, NKC has
recommended the setting up of Panchayat Gyan Kendras (PGKs) throughout the country
which would ensure efficient implementation of NREGA and would eventually develop into
resource centres to demonstrate best practices, evolve local solutions and provide a
platform for converging different social sector programs. NKC has also recommended
conceptualising fresh perspectives in tool design to improve dignity of labour and ensure
skillful engagement and enhanced productivity.

GENDER INEQUALITY:
Gender inequality (also sometimes referred to as gender discrimination or gender gap) can
be defined as socioeconomic term that addresses the difference of opportunities in life due
to the gender of a person. It often implies that females have it harder in many countries
than men regarding their overall prospects in life. This could mean disadvantages in job
opportunities or in wages which is often referred to as gender pay gap. It could also mean
confined overall rights, especially in countries where there are still huge differences in
rights between males and females. In this article, the causes, effects and solutions for the
gender gap are examine.
CAUSES OF GENDER INEQUALITY:
Cultural values: One of the main reason for the gender gap is cultural values. Depending
on the culture, it may simple be tradition that women stay at home and take care of the
household and to raise children and the man has to go to work and earn an income.
Cultural values are often hard to break and thus women growing up in regions with strict
cultural values towards gender discrimination will have a hard time to break out of this
circle.
Lower level of education: The lower the level of education of women is, the more likely
they are to get trapped in the gender gap since they are more likely to belief in cultural
values and role models and will not be able to see the flaws in the argumentation of
preachers of traditional role models. Moreover, a lack of education may also lead to
significant independence since it also often implies difficulties to find a job, which further
traps these women in gender discrimination.
Low self-esteem: Women how suffer from low levels of self-esteem may also be victims to
the gender gap. Low self-esteem can be due to several reasons. Maybe you had bad
experiences in the past or you have people that try to bring you down in an emotional
manner. All this stuff can lead to a state where you have such low self-esteem that you just
fit in the cultural system, not even asking yourself if this is what you really want to do with
your life. Thus, you will never be able to leave the trap of culture behind you and may
therefore suffer from the effects of gender gap.
Family values: Parents have a big influence on the development of their children. If you
grow up in a family that is not supporting female family members to start a career, it will be
quite hard for you to walk away from all of this. Instead, you will be likely to follow the
family tradition and settle down for kids instead of following your dreams. Thus, the
attitude towards life of your parents can play a major role for your chances and therefore
can also be a significant reason for the gender gap.
Low self-esteem: Women how suffer from low levels of self-esteem may also be victims to
the gender gap. Low self-esteem can be due to several reasons. Maybe you had bad
experiences in the past or you have people that try to bring you down in an emotional
manner. All this stuff can lead to a state where you have such low self-esteem that you just
fit in the cultural system, not even asking yourself if this is what you really want to do with
your life. Thus, you will never be able to leave the trap of culture behind you and may
therefore suffer from the effects of gender gap.
SOLUTION TO GENDER DISCRIMIMATION
Change in cultural values: In order to mitigate the issue of gender inequality, it is crucial
that there is a change in cultural values, especially in countries where there is still a big
difference between men and women. In these countries, governments should try to
convince the general public with campaigns and other measures that women are as
valuable as men so that gender discrimination should be avoided in order to progress in a
society.
Better access to education for women: In order to fight gender discrimination, it is also
crucial that there is a better access to education for women. By giving women easier access
to education, they will be able to increase the knowledge and will be less dependent on
their husband when it comes to financial topics. Moreover, these well-educated women are
more likely to find a good job, which also decreases the issue of the gender pay gap. Thus,
education is key to lower all sorts of problems related to the gender gap.
Increase self-esteem: It is also crucial that women who suffer from gender discrimination
try to increase their self-esteem. This may be quite hard since men around you will kill
your self-confidence by dragging you down whenever they can. However, building huge
self-esteem is crucial to escape gender inequality since only then, women will be brave
enough to leave their home or their family and try to accomplish a better future for
themselves.
Raise awareness on the topic: In some cultures, it is still common sense that the woman
has to stay at home and take care of the kids and the man has to provide for his family. In
order to change this traditional role model and to give women to strive for alternative life
paths, it is crucial to raise the public awareness on this topic.

ROLE OF EDUCTION AND GENDER INEQUALITY:

Women empowerment is the process of enabling and developing ability or potential in
women so that they can think and act freely, exercise their choices and control their lives,
thereby reducing discrimination and exploitation towards them. It is the process of
elevating women in social, economic and political environments so that they can play a role
equal to that of men in society. However, women who in many nations constitute half of the
entire population, if not more, have often suffered for centuries from fewer rights and
lower social status than men. The only way to put an end to the widespread discrimination
and exploitation of women is through empowering them. This is possible when we educate
women. educating girls and women plays a key role in the development of nations because
the benefit of educating them influences their entire communities. It is well established that
an educated woman will be more likely to educate her own children and provide them with
higher chances in receiving a school education. It is also observed that a family of an
educated woman tends to be healthier with a reduced risk of infant mortality coupled with
better maternal nutrition during pregnancy and nursing. The income of an educated
woman leads to the prosperity of her household provided that just one extra year of
secondary schooling can increase a woman’s income by 25% a year. But the impact does
not stop with private households, an educated woman contributes to economic
productivity, leading to an increase in her community’s wealth as a whole. For the reasons
stated above, the equation is clear: invest in the education of girls and women and the
benefits will not be limited to them alone, but will flow to everyone around them. Prohibit
them from their basic right to an education and not only they will suffer, but their entire
community as a whole will. At this point, more than sixty million girls are denied access to
education globally. In addition, girls are often deprived from educational essentials like
literacy and numeracy even in places where a significant progress has been made to get
them into school. This makes it harder for them to proceed further beyond the primary
school level, regardless of the availability of opportunities. Educating girls is a key factor in
empowering them. Their sound education will contribute to their households and national
economies. Furthermore, educated women will be less likely to fall victim to the scourge of
human trafficking, forced child marriages, and will be able to protect themselves from
sexually transmitted diseases like HIV.