Chapter 5: Women Change the World

Political Science • Class 7

Download PDF

Loading PDF...

Chapter Analysis

Intermediate14 pages • English

Quick Summary

This chapter discusses how women have historically been excluded from many areas of work and education and the ongoing struggles to achieve gender equality. It highlights the Women's Movement's role in advocating for changes in laws and mindsets to ensure women's right to education and employment. The chapter also examines contemporary issues such as the societal stereotypes that limit women's opportunities and the importance of education as a tool for change.

Key Topics

  • Challenges faced by women in accessing education
  • Stereotypes in gender roles and employment
  • Efforts of the Women's Movement in India
  • The role of education in women's empowerment
  • Significant historical figures in women's education
  • Gender inequality in the workplace
  • Legal reforms for women's rights

Learning Objectives

  • Understand the historical and contemporary struggles for women's equality.
  • Analyze the role of education in changing women's societal roles.
  • Identify the impact of stereotypes on gender equality.
  • Examine the efforts made by women's movements to combat discrimination.
  • Explore stories of key figures advocating for women's education.
  • Discuss legal and social reforms related to women's rights.

Questions in Chapter

How do you think stereotypes, about what women can or cannot do, affect women’s right to equality?

Page 61

List one reason why learning the alphabet was so important to women like Rashsundari Devi, Ramabai and Rokeya.

Page 61

‘Poor girls drop out of school because they are not interested in getting an education.’ Re-read the last paragraph on page 62 and explain why this statement is not true.

Page 61

Can you describe two methods of struggle that the women’s movement used to raise issues?

Page 61

Additional Practice Questions

What strategies did women like Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain use to overcome educational barriers?

medium

Answer: Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain used the support of her siblings to learn English and Bangla secretly, wrote extensively, and founded a school for girls, emphasizing the power of education.

Discuss the impact of the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ campaign on the education of girls in India.

medium

Answer: The 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' campaign aims to ensure survival, protection, and education of the girl child, addressing declining child sex ratio and promoting girls' education through community mobilization and awareness programs.

Why is the Women's Movement described as vibrant and diverse? Provide examples from the text.

medium

Answer: The Women's Movement is diverse due to the involvement of various women's organizations and individual efforts, employing strategies like legal reform, awareness campaigns, and protests across different issues like domestic violence and workplace harassment.

Explain the concept of ‘Ladyland’ as imagined by Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain.

hard

Answer: In 'Ladyland,' Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain imagines a society where women have freedom to study and work, using inventions to control nature for good, illustrating a utopian world where women lead with intellect and peace.

Analyze how women’s participation in various jobs is represented and challenged in this chapter.

hard

Answer: Women are often shown in stereotypical roles like nurses, but stories like that of Laxmi Lakra, a woman engine driver, challenge these norms, showcasing women's capabilities in diverse occupations traditionally dominated by men.