Life Skills & Value Education – CLASS-VIII – UNIT-4 Gender Equality

GENDER:  ITS SOCIAL MEANING

The word gender describes the socially-constructed roles and responsibilities that societies consider appropriate for men and women. Gender equality means that men and women have equal power and equal opportunities for financial independence, education, and personal development. Women’s empowerment is a critical aspect of achieving gender equality. It includes increasing a woman’s sense of self-worth, her decision-making power, her access to opportunities and resources, her power and control over her own life inside and outside the home, and her ability to effect change. Yet gender issues are not focused on women alone, but on the relationship between men and women.

GENDER: ITS BIOLOGICAL MEANING

Nature has made our bodies in such a manner that we will either be called a male or a female. But, sometimes, a child is born who does not fit into either of the biological categories. Such people are called intersex or trans genders. However, gender is related to various roles and behaviours that the society expects from people. They are not made by nature. For example, ‘men are physically stronger than women’ is nature made but ‘women should do the household chores and men should be bread winners’ is made by society.

EQUALITY: MEANING

In a society, everyone has the right to lead his/her life accordingly without any discrimination. When this state is achieved where all individuals are considered to be equal irrespective of their caste, gender, colour, profession, and status, we call it equality. Equality can also be defined as the situation where every individual has the same rights and equal opportunity to grow and prosper.

Methods to measure Gender Equality:

Gender equality can be measured and a country’s growth can be traced by using the following methods.

• Gender Development Index (GDI) is a gender-based calculation done similar to the Human Development Index.
• Gender Empowerment Measure (GEM) is a detailed calculation method of the percentage of female members in decision making roles.
• Gender Equity Index (GEI) considers economic participation, education, and empowerment.
• Global Gender Gap Index assesses the level of gender inequality present on the basis of four criteria: economic participation and opportunity.

Roadblocks to Gender Equality:

Indian society is still wrecked by such stigmas that dictate that women are meant to manage the home and stay indoors. This is being done for ages, leading to neglect of women in areas like education, health, wealth, and socio-economic fields. This ill practice had led to numerous female feticides. It has created a notion that girls are a burden on a family, which is one of the primary reasons a girl child cannot continue her education. Even if they excel in education and become independent, most of them are forced to quit their job as their income is considered a backup source, which is not fair. New-age women are not only independent, but they are confident too. The only thing they demand from society is support, which we should provide them.

How Important Is It To Break Gender Stereotypes:

By removing gender-stereotypes from the children’s learning and playing environment, all children are able to develop to their fullest potential. They no longer absorb potentially harmful stereotypes that could become the basis for gender-based violence later in life.

Ways to Prevent Stereotyping In Your Classroom:

• Have Honest Conversations About Stereotype Threat.
• Create an Inclusive Environment.
• Expose Students to a Range of Perspectives and Teaching Materials.
• Foster a Growth Mind set in the classroom.

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