Gender, religion and caste
Gender, Religion and Caste
Gender and Society
| Aspect | Key Points |
|---|---|
| Patriarchy | System where men control decision-making, property, and power |
| Work inequality | Women do more unpaid work at home, less recognition in society |
| Opportunities | Women get fewer chances in education, jobs, and politics |
• Patriarchy = Male-dominated social system
• Invisible work = Household work done by women not counted
• Gender inequality exists in jobs, wages, education and politics
• Invisible work = Household work done by women not counted
• Gender inequality exists in jobs, wages, education and politics
In exams, focus on examples like housework, wage gap, school dropouts of girls, and job discrimination.
Women’s Political Representation
| Level | Status |
|---|---|
| Parliament & Assemblies | Very low number of women representatives |
| Panchayati Raj | 33% reservation implemented and successful |
| Proposed Reform | Demand for 33% reservation in Parliament and State Assemblies |
• Reservation in Panchayats increased women participation
• Political empowerment strengthens democracy
• Women leadership ensures inclusive policies
• Political empowerment strengthens democracy
• Women leadership ensures inclusive policies
Direct questions are asked on reservation percentages and comparison between Parliament and Panchayats.
Religion and Discrimination
- Religion sometimes misused to justify inequality
- Different personal laws for different religious communities
- Religious division creates discrimination and communal tension
| Concept | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Communalism | Using religion for political or social division |
| Personal Laws | Religion-based laws on marriage, divorce, inheritance |
• Discrimination based on religion weakens democracy
• Secular state treats all religions equally
• Secular state treats all religions equally
Look for questions mixing religion with constitution and equality articles.
Caste and Politics
| Concept | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Caste in politics | Political parties use caste for votes |
| Politics in caste | Caste affects how people vote |
| Reservation | SC/ST have reserved seats in legislatures |
• Caste still influences modern politics
• Reservation aims at social justice and equality
• It reduces historical discrimination
• Reservation aims at social justice and equality
• It reduces historical discrimination
Be careful with confusion: Caste in politics ≠ Politics in caste.
Caste in Indian Politics
| Positive Impacts | Negative Impacts |
|---|---|
| Marginalized groups get voice | Division based on caste identities |
| Encourages political participation | Vote-bank politics |
• Positive: Representation & Political awareness
• Negative: Social division & identity politics
• Negative: Social division & identity politics
Exam questions often ask to compare positive and negative effects using examples.
Constitutional Provisions and Social Reform
| Article | Provision |
|---|---|
| 14 | Equality before law |
| 15 | No discrimination on religion, caste, gender |
| 16 | Equality in public employment |
| 17 | Abolition of untouchability |
| 18 | Abolition of titles |
• Articles 14–18 = Right to Equality
• Article 17 = Untouchability abolished fully
• Secularism ensures equal respect to all religions
• Article 17 = Untouchability abolished fully
• Secularism ensures equal respect to all religions
Most direct questions come from Articles and matching them with their provisions.