Women Change the World

Q38. Why do you think that the percentage of Adivasi girls and boys leaving school is higher than that of any other group?

Ans. There are several reasons why children from Dalit and Adivasi and communities leave school.

                       i.        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.

                      ii.        If a school is not close to people’s homes, and there is no transport like buses or vans, parents may not be willing to send their girls to school.

                      iii.        Many families are too poor and unable to bear the cost of educating all their children. Boys may get preference in this situation.

                      iv.        Many children also leave school because they are discriminated against by their teacher and classmates.

Q39. “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.

Ans. Poor girls do not drop out of school because they are not interested in getting an education. They leave the school because of the following reasons:

                       i.        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.

                      ii.        If a school is not close to people’s homes, and there is no transport like buses or vans, parents may not be willing to send their girls to school.

                     iii.        Many families are too poor and unable to bear the cost of educating all their children. Boys may get preference in this situation.

                     iv.        Many children also leave school because they are discriminated against by their teacher and classmates.

Q40. 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?

Ans. Two methods of struggle that the women’s movement used to raise issues were:

Campaigning - Campaigning is mobilizing public concern in order to achieve a social, political or commercial aim. Campaigns to fight discrimination and violence against women are an important part of the women’s movement. Campaigns have also led to new laws being passed.

Protesting – It means expressing an objection to what someone has said or done. The women’s movement raises its voice when violations against women take place or for example, when a law or policy acts against their interests. Public rallies and demonstrations are a very powerful way of drawing attention to injustices.

If I had to organise struggle against stereotypes,  about what women can or cannot do, I would like to employ campaigning method as what pressure cannot do, awareness about the issue can do effectively.

Q41. Explain the term Stereotype, Discrimination, Violation and Sexual harassment.

Ans. Stereotype: When we believe that people belonging to particular groups based on religion, wealth, language are bound to have certain fixed characteristics or can only do a certain type of work, we create a stereotype. For example, boys and girls are made to take certain subjects not because he or she has an aptitude for it, but because they are either boys or girls. Stereotypes prevent us from looking at people as unique individuals.

Discrimination: When we do not treat people equally or with respect we are indulging in discrimination. It happens when people or organisations act on their prejudices. Discrimination usually takes place when we treat someone differently or make a distinction.

Violation: When someone forcefully breaks the law or a rule or openly shows disrespect, we can say that he or she has committed a violation.

Sexual harassment: This refers to physical or verbal behaviour that is of a sexual nature and against the wishes of a woman.