Women Empowerment
Class 7 | Social Science — Civics | Unit 1
Class 7 Unit 1 Civics
Women Empowerment
Learning Objectives
- To know the sociological perspectives of gender.
- To understand about various role played by women in society.
- To know the importance of woman's education.
- To understand the role played by women in economic development.
- To understand the idea of women's rights.
Introduction
"Feminism is not about making women stronger. Women are already strong. It's about changing the way the world perceives that strength".
"The story of women's struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organisation but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights".
"You educate a man; you educate a man. You educate a woman; you educate a generation".
To call woman the weaker sex is a libel; it is man's injustice to woman –Mahatma Gandhi.
The empowerment and autonomy of women and the improvement of their political, social, economic and health status is a highly important end in itself. In addition, it is essential for the achievement of sustainable development. Women's empowerment and achieving gender equality is essential for our society to ensure the sustainable development of the country.
Social Aspects of Gender
Sex is the biological trait that societies use to assign people into the category of either male or female. When people talk about the differences between men and women they are often drawing on sex on rigid ideas of biology rather than gender, which is an understanding of how society shapes our understanding of those biological categories. Gender is more fluid it may or may not depend upon biological traits. More specifically, it is a concept that describes how societies determine and manage sex categories; the cultural meanings attached to men's and women's roles; and how individuals understand their identities including, but not limited to, being a man, woman, transgender, and other gender positions. Gender involves social norms, attitudes and activities that society views as more appropriate for one sex over another. Gender is also determined by what an individual feels and does. The sociology of gender examines how society influences our understandings and perception of differences between masculinity (what society views appropriate behaviour for a "man") and femininity (what society views appropriate behaviour for a "woman"). We examine how this, in turn, influences identity and social practices.
The essential factors for empowerment are:
- Education: Education gives one the ability to think wisely and take thoughtful decisions.
- Gender Discrimination: A Society which discriminates between the two genders can never be empowered.
- Discrimination based on caste, creed, religion etc.
Woman's Education
Education is one of the most important means of empowering women with the knowledge, skills and self-confidence necessary to participate fully in the development process. More than 40 years ago, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights asserted that "everyone has the right to education". Educating the girl child produces mothers who are educated and who will, in turn, educate their children care for their families and provide their children care and support. The girl child needs to be educated to acquire knowledge and skills needed to advance her status for social interactions and self-improvement.
The sustainability and progress of all regions depend on the success of women across the globe. As the former President Barrack Obama said while addressing the United Nations General Assembly in 2012, "the future must not belong to those who bully women. It must be shaped by girls who go to school and those who stand for a world where our daughters can live their dreams just like our sons."
The Unmatched Importance of Female Education
- Increased Literacy: Of the illiterate youth across the globe, nearly 63 percent are female. Offering all children education will prop up literacy rates, pushing forward development in struggling regions.
- Human Trafficking: Women are most vulnerable to trafficking when they are undereducated and poor, according to the United Nations Inter-Agency Project on Human Trafficking. Through providing young girls with opportunities and fundamental skills, Human Trafficking can be significantly undermined.
- Political Representation: Across the globe, women are under represented as voters and restricted from political involvement. The United Nations Women's Programmes on Leadership and Participation suggest that civic education, training and all around empowerment will reduce this gap.
- Thriving Babies: According to the United Nations Girls' Education Initiative, children of educated mothers are twice as likely to survive past the age of five.
- Later Marriage: As suggested by the United Nations Population Fund, in underdeveloped countries one in every three girls is married before reaching the age of 18. In a region where a girl receives seven or more years of education, the wedding date is delayed by four years.
- Income Potential: Education also increases a woman's earning capabilities. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), a single year of primary education has shown to increase a girl's wages later in life by 20 percent.
- Prospering Gross Domestic Product: Gross Domestic Product also rises when both girls and boys are being offered educational opportunities. When 10 percent more women attend school, Gross Domestic Product increases by three percent on average.
- Poverty Reduction: When women are provided with equal rights and equal access to education, they go on to participate in economic activity. Increased earning power leads to reduction in poverty level.
Savitribai Phule as a tradition breaker
The first female teacher at the first girls' school. When we talk about the girls' education only Jyotirao Phule is remembered as the champion of women's education in India. He, along with his wife Savitribai Phule, opened the first school for girls in 1848.
First in the World
| Woman First | Name | Country |
|---|
| First woman Prime Minister | Sirimavo Bandaranaike | Sri Lanka |
| First woman In space | Valentina Tereshkova | Union of Soviet Socialist Republics |
| First woman To scale Mount Everest | Junko Tabei | Japan |
| First woman To win the Olympic gold | Charlotte Cooper | England |
First in India
| Woman First | Details |
|---|
| First Women's University | Maharshi Karve starts Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey University in Pune with five students in 1916. |
| First Women to hold a Union Cabinet post | Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit |
| First Women to hold a Union Foreign Minister's post | Sushma Swaraj (2014) |
| First Women youngest minister of a state | Sushma Swaraj (She became the cabinet minister of Haryana when she was only 25 years old) |
| First Women governor of Independent India | Sarojini Naidu, in charge of United Provinces |
| First Women president of United Nations General Assembly | Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit (1953) |
| First Women Prime Minister of India | Indira Gandhi (1966) |
| First Women IPS Officer of India | Kiran Bedi (1972) |
| First Women to win Nobel Peace Prize | Mother Teresa (1979) |
| First Indian Women to climb Mount Everest | Bachendri Pal (1984) |
| First Indian Women to win Booker Prize | Arundhati Roy (1997) |
| First Women President | Pratibha Patil (2007) |
| First Women Speaker of LokSabha | Meira Kumar (2009) |
| First Women judge in Supreme Court | Meera Sahib Fatima Bibi |
| First Women President of the Indian National Congress | Annie Besant |
| First Women Chief Minister of an Indian State | Sucheta Kripalani |
| First Women Director General of Police (DGP) | Kanchan Chaudhary Bhattacharya |
| First women defence Minister of India | Nirmala Sitharaman |
| First woman Finance Minister of India | Nirmala Sitharaman |
Factors Responsible for Poor Female Literacy Rate
- Gender based inequality.
- Social discrimination and economic exploitation.
- Occupation of girl child in domestic chores.
- Low enrolment of girls in schools.
- Low retention rate and high dropout rate.
Male Female literacy rate in India: From 1951 to 2011
| Census year | Persons | Males | Females | Male Female gap in literacy rate |
|---|
| 1951 | 18.33 | 27.16 | 8.86 | 18.30 |
| 1961 | 28.3 | 40.4 | 15.35 | 25.05 |
| 1971 | 34.45 | 45.96 | 21.97 | 23.98 |
| 1981 | 43.57 | 56.38 | 29.76 | 26.62 |
| 1991 | 52.21 | 64.13 | 39.29 | 24.84 |
| 2001 | 64.83 | 75.26 | 53.67 | 21.59 |
| 2011 | 74.04 | 82.14 | 65.46 | 16.68 |
Role of woman in the economic development
Importance of women's economic empowerment in society is inevitable. Empowerment is one of the main procedural concerns when addressing human rights and development. Women's empowerment and achieving gender equality is essential for our society to ensure the sustainable development of the country.
Benefits of Economic Empowerment of Woman
Women's economic empowerment is central to realising women's rights and gender equality. Empowering women in the economy and bridging gender gaps in the world of work are key to achieving the agenda for Sustainable Development. When more women work, economies grow. Increasing women's and girls' educational attainment contributes to women's economic empowerment and more inclusive economic growth. It is estimated that companies with three or more women in senior management functions score higher in all dimensions of organisational performance.
The need for Economic Empowerment of Woman
- Gender differences in laws affect both developing and developed economies, and women in all regions.
- Women remain less likely to participate in the labour market than men around the world.
- Women are more likely to be unemployed than men.
- Women are over-represented in informal and vulnerable employment.
- Globally, women are paid less than men.
- Women bear disproportionate responsibility for unpaid care and domestic work.
- Unpaid care work is essential to the functioning of the economy, but often goes uncounted and unrecognised.
- Women are less likely to be entrepreneurs and face more disadvantages starting businesses.
- Women are less likely than men to have access to financial institutions or have a bank account.
- Women are still less likely to have access to social protection.
- Violence and harassment in the world of work affects women regardless of age, location, income or social status.
Indian society is known for its unity in diversity. Social inequality also prevails in this society which has given birth of weaker section of society which is as diverse as Indian society itself, women, Scheduled caste, scheduled tribes, children, poor, landless farmers are considered as weaker sections. They have faced socio-economic and political discrimination in hands of dominating section since ancient time and their fight for rights and access to justice is almost as old as the discrimination against these marginalised and weaker group.
Summary
Women empowerment and issues related, nowadays gained its importance worldwide. Personal rights, Social equality, Political power, and Economic opportunity are the important aspects of woman empowerment. World governments, both developed and developing countries are sincerely working towards achieving the goal of Women empowerment. Almost the women population shared 50% of the total population of the world; we can't imagine world peace and prosperity without empowering each and every woman on this planet. It is everyone's responsibility to make each woman into an independent and empowered woman.
Glossary
bully to hurt or frighten someone, terrorise பலவீனனைக் கொடுமைப் படுத்துபவர், கொடுமைக்காரர் trafficking the act of buying or selling people மனித கடத்தல், ஆள் கடத்தல் thriving very lively and profitable, successful வெற்றிகரமான chores task, duty வேலை, பணி retention the act of retaining something, with holding தேக்கி வைத்தல், வைத்திருத்தல் entrepreneur a person who sets up a business or businesses தொழிலதிபர் harassment aggressive pressure, irritation துன்புறுத்தல், தொல்லைகொடுதத்தல்
Evaluation
Exercise 1. Choose the correct answer:
1. Which of the following is NOT a consequence of gender inequality?
a) Poor maternal health b) Greater insecurity for men c) The spread of HIV/AIDS d) Lower literacy rates for women
2. Gender equality is an issue that is relevant to
a) Girls and women; it's a women's issue b) All societies, women and men alike c) Third world countries only d) Developed Countries only
3. Which of the following strategies will help women become more socially and economically empowered?
a) Women working together to challenge discrimination b) More income sources for women c) Improved access to education d) All of the above
4. Why are girls more likely than boys to miss out on secondary education in the developing world?
a) Because of high school fees, only boys are sent to school b) Girls are expected to help out at home c) Child Marriage restricts girls mobility and freedom d) All of the above Exercise 2. Fill in the blanks:
1. Jyotirao Phule is remembered as the champion of women's education in India. He, along with his wife opened the first school for girls in 1848.
2. is the first Woman to hold a Union Foreign Minister's post.
3. is the first Woman Director General of Police (DGP).
4. is the first Indian Woman to win Booker Prize.
Exercise 3. Match the following:
| 1. Sirimavo Bandaranaike | |
| 2. Valentina Tereshkova | |
| 3. Junko Tabei | |
| 4. Charlotte Cooper | |
Options: England, Japan, Sri Lanka, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
Exercise 4. Consider the following statements:
1. Tick the appropriate answer:
Assertion: Now women are being integrated at all steps of humanitarian operations.
Reason: Women and girls suffer the most from any kind of conflict in the society.
a) Both, A and R, are true and R is the correct explanation of A b) Both, A and R, are true but R is not the correct explanation of A c) If A is true but R is false d) If A is false but R is true
2.
Assertion: Violence against women cuts across caste, class, religion, age and even education.
Reason: Domestic violence is manifested in the form of foeticide, infanticide, dowry murder, marital cruelty, battering, child abuse etc.
a) Both, A and R, are true and R is the correct explanation of A b) Both, A and R, are true but R is not the correct explanation of A c) If A is true but R is false d) If A is false but R is true Exercise 5. Answer the following questions:
1. Discuss about various roles played by woman in Society
2. What is gender equality?
3. Explain woman's right.
4. List out the essential factors of woman empowerment
5. Write an essay on importance of woman's education
Exercise 6. Activity:
1. Prepare an album about top ten Women achievers of different fields of Tamilnadu?
Book-back Exercises — Questions & Answers
Answers generated strictly from the Samacheer Kalvi textbook content. Attempt each question first, then click "Show Answer" to check.
1. Choose the correct answer:
1. Which of the following is NOT a consequence of gender inequality?
a) Poor maternal health b) Greater insecurity for men c) The spread of HIV/AIDS d) Lower literacy rates for women
Answer: b) Greater insecurity for men
Explanation: According to the chapter, gender inequality primarily affects women through poor maternal health, spread of diseases, and lower literacy rates, not greater insecurity for men.
2. Gender equality is an issue that is relevant to
a) Girls and women; it's a women's issue b) All societies, women and men alike c) Third world countries only d) Developed Countries only
Answer: b) All societies, women and men alike
Explanation: The chapter states that gender differences affect both developing and developed economies, and women in all regions, making it relevant to all societies.
3. Which of the following strategies will help women become more socially and economically empowered?
a) Women working together to challenge discrimination b) More income sources for women c) Improved access to education d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: The chapter emphasizes that education, economic opportunities, and challenging discrimination are all essential factors for women's empowerment.
4. Why are girls more likely than boys to miss out on secondary education in the developing world?
a) Because of high school fees, only boys are sent to school b) Girls are expected to help out at home c) Child Marriage restricts girls mobility and freedom d) All of the above
Answer: b) Girls are expected to help out at home
Explanation: The chapter mentions "occupation of girl child in domestic chores" as one of the factors responsible for poor female literacy rate.
2. Fill in the blanks:
1. Jyotirao Phule is remembered as the champion of women's education in India. He, along with his wife _____ opened the first school for girls in 1848.
Answer: Savitribai Phule
2. _____ is the first Woman to hold a Union Foreign Minister's post.
Answer: Sushma Swaraj (2014)
3. _____ is the first Woman Director General of Police (DGP).
Answer: Kanchan Chaudhary Bhattacharya
4. _____ is the first Indian Woman to win Booker.
Answer: Arundhati Roy (1997)
3. Match the following:
1. Match the Following
| 1. Sirimavo Bandaranaike | England |
| 2. Valentina Tereshkova | Japan |
| 3. Junko Tabei | Sri Lanka |
| 4. Charlotte Cooper | Union of Soviet Socialist Republics |
Answers: 1-Sri Lanka, 2-Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, 3-Japan, 4-England
4. Consider the following statements:
1. Assertion: Now women are being integrated at all steps of humanitarian operations.
Reason: Women and girls suffer the most from any kind of conflict in the society.
a) Both, A and R, are true and R is the correct explanation of A b) Both, A and R, are true but R is not the correct explanation of A c) If A is true but R is false d) If A is false but R is true
Answer: a) Both, A and R, are true and R is the correct explanation of A
2. Assertion: Violence against women cuts across caste, class, religion, age and even education.
Reason: Domestic violence is manifested in the form of foeticide, infanticide, dowry murder, marital cruelty, battering, child abuse etc.
a) Both, A and R, are true and R is the correct explanation of A b) Both, A and R, are true but R is not the correct explanation of A c) If A is true but R is false d) If A is false but R is true
Answer: b) Both, A and R, are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
5. Answer the following questions:
1. Discuss about various roles played by woman in Society
Answer: Women play crucial roles in society including education, economic development, and social progress. According to the chapter, educating women produces educated mothers who educate their children and provide family care. Women's participation in economic activities leads to poverty reduction and increased GDP. The chapter emphasizes that women's empowerment is essential for sustainable development and achieving gender equality in society.
2. What is gender equality?
Answer: Gender equality refers to understanding how society shapes biological categories and manages sex differences. Gender involves social norms, attitudes and activities that society views as appropriate for one sex over another. It is determined by what individuals feel and do, examining how society influences understanding of differences between masculinity and femininity.
3. Explain woman's right.
Answer: According to the chapter, women's rights include the right to education as asserted by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Women's economic empowerment is central to realising women's rights and gender equality. Personal rights, social equality, political power, and economic opportunity are the important aspects of women empowerment that constitute women's rights in society.
4. List out the essential factors of woman empowerment
Answer: The essential factors for empowerment are: 1. Education - gives ability to think wisely and take thoughtful decisions. 2. Gender Discrimination - a society which discriminates between the two genders can never be empowered. 3. Discrimination based on caste, creed, religion etc.
5. Write an essay on importance of woman's education
Answer: Women's education is crucial for empowerment and development. Education empowers women with knowledge, skills and self-confidence for full participation in development. It increases literacy rates, reduces human trafficking, and improves political representation. Educated mothers produce children twice as likely to survive past age five and delay marriage by four years. Education increases women's income potential by 20% per year and boosts GDP by 3% when 10% more women attend school. Women's education leads to poverty reduction through increased economic participation and equal access to opportunities.
6. Activity:
1. Prepare an album about top ten Women achievers of different fields of Tamilnadu?
Answer: This is a project activity. Students should research and compile information about notable women achievers from Tamil Nadu in various fields such as politics, education, arts, sports, science, and social service, creating an album with their photographs, achievements, and contributions to society.
📝 Summary
- Women's empowerment and achieving gender equality is essential for our society to ensure the sustainable development of the country and improve women's political, social, economic and health status.
- Gender is different from sex - while sex is a biological trait, gender is a social concept that describes how societies determine cultural meanings attached to men's and women's roles and involves social norms and attitudes.
- Education is one of the most important means of empowering women with knowledge, skills and self-confidence necessary to participate fully in the development process, as stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
- Educating the girl child produces mothers who are educated and who will, in turn, educate their children, care for their families and provide their children care and support.
- Of the illiterate youth across the globe, nearly 63 percent are female, highlighting the critical need for increased literacy and educational opportunities for women and girls.