Women Change the World

Exercises

1. How do you think stereotypes, about what women can or cannot do, affect women’s right to equality?
Answer: Stereotypes about what women can or cannot do affect women’s right to equality:

1. They do not get the same support that boys get.
2. They are considered inferior to men.
3. They are not sent to educational institutions.
4. They are promoted to see marriage as their future instead of higher studies.
5. They are not paid equally to men for the same work.
6. They are assigned household works as their priority job.

2. List one reason why learning the alphabet was so important to women like Rashsundari Devi, Ramabai and Rokeya.
Answer: Rashsundari Devi, Ramabai and Rokeya are able to achieve their goal only by education. they were able to put an impact on the society by writing their ideas or stories or setting up schools through which can never be achieved without learning. Thus, learning the alphabet was so important because it will not only help them in their day to day social life but also help them in pursuing their education and dream.
3. “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.
Answer: The statement “Poor girls drop out of school because they are not interested in getting an education.” is not true because:

• In many parts of the country, especially in rural and poor areas, there may not even be proper schools nor teachers who teach on a regular basis.
• Parents are not willing to send their girl child to distant schools due to lack of transportation.
• Unable to bear the cost of education.
• Boys get preference over girls for seeking education.
• Sometimes, their teacher and classmates discriminate against them.

4. Can you describe two methods of struggle that the women’s movement used to raise issues? If you had to organise a struggle against stereotypes, about what women can or cannot do, what method would you employ from the ones that you have read about? Why would you choose this particular method?
Answer: Two methods of struggle that the women’s movement used to raise issues:
Campaigning: It is an important part of the women’s movement which is used to fight discrimination
and violence against women. Women work in a organized and collective manner to achieve their certain and specific goal.
Protesting: Women use public rallies and demonstrations as a very powerful weapon for drawing attention to injustices by the method of protesting. The women’s movement raises its voice when violations against women take place.
I would choose campaigning as a method to struggle against stereotypes. In this method, we use to get clear idea about the thought of people about what they want to seek justice for the discrimination against women. We got to familiar with their opinion about stereotypes and their method of eradication right from the society level. It is also a peaceful and organised method.