CIVICS NOTES ROLE OF GENDER

I.TICK THE CORRECT OPTION:

1. The practice of systematically killing the female foetus is called:

a. female foeticide b. female infanticide c. feminism

2. The practice of systematically killing girls at birth or soon after birth:

a. female foeticide b. female infanticide c. feminism

3. According to the Census of India 2011, for every 1000 boys, the number of girls are:
a. 929 b. 930 C. 940

4. In India, the female literacy rate in 2014 was:

a. 62 per cent b. 75.7 per cent C. 44 per cent

5. In a patriarchal society, a woman's primary space is her:

a. workplace b. home C. place of worship

6. The law that protects the rights of women in India:

a. Moral Traffic (Prevention) Act
b. Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act
c. Prosecution of Women from Domestic Violence Act

7. In many parts of India, girls are discouraged from taking up sports and other physical education.
a. true b. false c. maybe both

8. The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme was launched in the year:
a. 2013 b. 2016 C. 2015

9. The Industrial Revolution took place in England in the:

a. 19th century b. 17th century C. 18th century

10. Gender differences should not determine:

a. capabilities b. opportunities C. both of them

II. Answer the following in one sentence.

Q1. What is meant by stereotypes?

Ans1. A stereotype is a very firm and simple idea about what a particular type of person or thing is
like, or how a person should or should not behave.

Q2. Define sex ratio.

Ans 2. Sex ratio is the ratio of males to females in a population, expressed as the number of females per
thousand males. According to the Census of India 2011, for every 1,000 males, there are only 940 females
in India.

Q3. What is meant by the formal sector? What is the status of women in this sector?

Ans 3. Women, today, are contributing to the formal sector (also called the organised sector) of the
economy, which consists of schools, research institutes, banks, colleges, offices, hospitals and
industrial houses. Some facts about women in the formal sector: they enjoy many work benefits such as sick
leave, maternity leave and medical insurance and have succeeded in carving a niche for themselves. they
are, however, still paid less than their male counterparts. Therefore, gender equality in our society is yet to
be completely realised.

Q4. How is a woman’s role as a homemaker interpreted in a patriarchal society?

Ans 4. A patriarchal society considers a woman's home as her primary space and her primary role as that of a
homemaker. A woman has been traditionally considered a secondary participant who follows the decisions of
the menfolk. This lowers the status of women in society and creates gender inequality.

Q5. What factors help women in the fight against inequality

Ans 5. Empowerment of women to fight against inequalities is possible through the
following measures:
 expansion of education facilities
 creation of more job opportunities
 institutional representation in legislatures
 more opportunities should be provided to women so that they can utilise their
capabilities
 gender differences should not determine capabilities and opportunities

III. Answer the following questions in brief.

1. Differentiate between gender and sex.

Ans1. Gender refers to the social classification into men and women whereas sex
refers to the biological distinction between male and female.

Gender pertains to the differences between men and women as determined by society
in terms of their social domains, roles and responsibilities whereas Sex ratio is the
ratio of males to females in a population, expressed as the number of females per
thousand males

2. What has been the general perception about women since ancient times?

Ans 2. Ancient Womens were considered more emotional and intellectually (person’s
mental power) inferior to men, it was believed that their emotions influenced their
decisions and behaviour. This prejudiced attitude made people feel that women lacked
the political acumen(the ability to make good judgements and take quick decisions.) to
participate in the political process.

3. How are women viewed in public spaces?

Ans 3. Society, does not view women as free think-ing individuals. As a result,
 several women have had to battle domestic violence and deal with female
infanticide and the malaise of dowry.
 cases of eve-teasing, molestation and sexual harassment are not uncommon.

Unfortunately, society tends to blame women for these acts, and not the men who
commit these crimes. There are laws to punish the guilty but more needs to be done to
save women from crimes and inequalities

4. Name some of the initiatives that have been introduced in India to protect
women’s rights.

Ans 4.

 Mother and Child Tracking System (MCTS)

 Pradhan Mantri Matritva Vandana Yojana.
 Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls – Sabla.
 Rashtriya Mahila Kosh.
 National Action Plan for Children.
 Digital Laado (DigitalLaado) - Giving Digital Wings To Daughters
 5. Name some laws that have been introduced for women’s safety. Why were these laws framed?

Ans 5.

1. There are several laws that protect the rights of women in India such as

• the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act,

• the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act and
• Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act.

However, it is up to each individual in India to realise that women are as able, capable and
efficient as men.

IV. Answer the following questions in detail.

Q1. Elaborate how many families have defined stereotypical roles for boys and girls.

Ans1.
 In a family, from childhood, a certain kind of conditioning takes place which encourages
the tendency of domination amongst boys and that of Subservience (willingness to obey
others unquestioningly.)amongst girls. In many families
 Women are often not considered the primary bread winners of the family, whereas, men are
expected to provide the family income.
 if women do take up work, soft occupations like teaching and nursing are considered more
appropriate for them.
 the responsibility of household chores lies with the women and not men
 In many families, a preference for the male child is visible in the differential treatment
meted out to girls and boys.
 In such families girls are denied equality in terms of food, basic health facilities and
educational opportunities by parents.
 Girls are expected to help in the domestic chores while boys are deliberately kept away
from the same.
 Female foeticide (doing girl child abortion) and female infanticide (killing of newborn
female children) in India are expressions of gender inequality and bias, both of which have
caused a decline in the sex ratio.

Q2. Explore the reasons why women were not allowed to vote for a long time.

Ans2.
 People also felt that if women were accorded the right to vote, it would en-danger their
feminine characteristics.
 Their status in society, therefore, was one of second- class citizens who played a key role in
home affairs but were devoid (entirely lacking) of all other powers and privileges.
 After an extremely long struggle, the right to political participation was extended to women
only in the early 20th century.

Q3. How do women contribute to the informal sector?

Ans 3.
• Those economic activities that are not monitored by any government and not taxed
comprise the informal sector. In this sector,
 1. women are mostly employed as agricultural labourers engaged in
weeding, milling and hoeing.
2. women are also involved in processing and marketing of home-
grown products, beekeeping, handicrafts such as weaving, basket-
making, knitting, selling poultry products and fish

• These activities supplement the financial resources of the family. However, the
informal sector does not extend benefits such as medical insurance and paid
leave. It also does not ensure job security.

ii. Describe the three objectives of the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Scheme.

Ans4.

• The government has introduced several schemes and programmes to tackle the
growing problems of female infanticide, female foeticide and female illiteracy.
• The Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Scheme, launched in 2015 has the following objectives:

1. prevention of gender-biased sex selective elimination

2. ensuring survival and protection of the girl child
3. ensuring education and participation of the girl child

 For families that fall in the low income bracket, the Conditional Cash and Non-cash
Transfer Scheme was proposed. Under these schemes, cash and non-cash transfers shall be
provided to the family of the girl child that fulfils certain conditions such as birth
registration, immunisation, enrolment and retention in school. The scheme also provides for
the marriage expenses of the girl child after she becomes an adult.

iii. How can gender inequality be reduced within the family

Ans 5.
• Empowerment of women to fight against inequalities is possible through the
following measures:
1. expansion of education facilities
2. creation of more job opportunities
3. institutional representation in legislatures
3. more opportunities should be provided to women so that
they can utilise their capabilities
4. gender differences should not determine capabilities and
opportunities
• In the 21st century, when progress and development are the hallmarks of human
civilisation, women are still lagging behind due to stereotypes and centuries-old
social conditioning.
• A change in mindset and outlook and provision of equal opportunities to both the
sexes is essential if we want our country to attain gender equality.