Gender, Religion and Caste

Gender division refers to the hierarchical social division between men and women, based on social expectations and stereotypes, not biology. It leads to unequal roles in society.

Sexual division of labour is a system where all work inside the home is done by women or organized by them, while men work outside. This division is not natural but socially constructed.

Feminism is the belief in equal rights and opportunities for women and men. It advocates for gender equality in personal, family, and public life.

The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976, mandates equal wages for equal work, aiming to eliminate gender-based pay discrimination in India.

Patriarchy is a system that values men more and gives them power over women, leading to male dominance in society and politics.

Communalism is the belief that religion is the principal basis of social community, often leading to conflict between different religious groups.

A secular state does not promote any religion as the state religion and ensures equality and freedom to all religions. India is a secular state.

The caste system is a form of social stratification unique to India, based on hereditary occupational division, sanctioned by rituals, leading to social inequalities.

Caste in politics involves political parties considering caste composition for candidate selection and mobilizing caste sentiments to garner votes.

Caste hierarchy refers to the ladder-like formation where caste groups are placed from 'highest' to 'lowest', based on social status and occupation.

Urbanization weakens caste hierarchy by promoting occupational mobility and reducing caste-based discrimination in urban areas.

Family laws deal with matters like marriage, divorce, and inheritance, varying by religion in India, often discriminating against women.

Political mobilization on caste lines involves appealing to caste sentiments and interests to secure votes, often leading to caste-based politics.

Women's role in politics is minimal due to patriarchal norms, but reservations in local bodies aim to increase their participation.

The child sex ratio in India was 919 girls per 1000 boys in 2011, indicating a preference for male children leading to sex-selective abortions.

One-third of seats in Panchayats and Municipalities are reserved for women to ensure their participation in local governance.

Occupational mobility refers to the shift from one occupation to another, often seen when new generations take up different jobs than their ancestors.

The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, reserves 33% seats for women in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, enhancing women's political representation.

A vote bank refers to a large bloc of voters from a particular community or caste who consistently support a specific political party.

Caste continues to influence economic status, with upper castes generally better off, while lower castes face disadvantages, despite legal prohibitions.