Gender, Religion and Caste

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• Questions
• Summary

This form of hierarchical social division can be seen everywhere, but is rarely recognised in the study of politics. The gender division tends to be understood as natural and unchangeable. However, it is not based on biology but on social expectations and stereotypes.

• Sexual Division of Labour: Woman do all the work inside the home or take the help of domestic helpers and men do work outside home.
• Feminist Movement: A movement aimed at equality in personal and family life as well. (believe in equal rights and opportunities).
• Role of Women in the society:
  1. A belief that responsibility of a woman is housework and bringing up children.
  2. Their work was not valued and recognized.
  3. Though constitute half the population their role is minimal especially in politics.
  4. Gender issue raised in politics – for equal rights, for voting, improve the political and legal status of women – for education &career (Feminist Movement).
• Changing the Scenario of women’s role in public life:
  1. Women working as Scientist, doctors, managers and college and university teachers.
  2. The participation of women in public life is high in developed Countries like Sweden, Norway, and Finland.
• Ways in which women are discriminated and oppressed:
  1. Literacy rate among women 54% and men 76% Reason – Girl students going for higher studies is less, More dropouts – as parents prefer to spend more for boys education.
  2. A proportion of women in highly paid jobs is small.
  3. The Equal Wages Act provides that equal wage must be paid – but women are paid less than men.
  4. Parents prefer to have sons and so decline in sex – ratio.
  5. Women are harassed and exploited in rural & urban areas – domestic violence.
  6. Family laws of religions show discrimination against women.
  7. Ours is still a male-dominated, patriarchal society.

1. Elected women member in Lok Sabha has not reached 10% and in State Assemblies 5% -very low.
2. A different scenario in Panchayatraj in India:
   1. 1/3 seat in the local government is in Panchayat’s and Municipalities – reserved for women- more than 10lakh women representatives in their bodies.
3. Proposal of bill before the parliament:
   1. Reservation of at least 1/3 of seats in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies for women.