GENDER RELIGION AND CASTE CHAPTER—4
POL. SCIENCE




GENDER AND POLITICS ---


GENDER DIVISIONS—

This is a form of hierarchical social division seen everywhere, but is rarely recognized in the study of politics. The gender division tends to be understood as natural and unchangeable.

PUBLIC/ PRIVATE DIVISION—

1. Boys and girls are brought up to believe that the main responsibility of women is housework and bringing up children.
2. This is reflected in the sexual division of labour in most families; women do all work inside the home such as cooking, washing clothes and tailoring etc and men do all the work outside the home.
3. When these jobs are paid for, men are ready to take op these works in hotel industry or as tailors.
The result of this division of labour is that although women constitute half of the humanity, their role in public life especially politics is minimal in most socities
1. earlier only men were allowed to participate in public affairs, vote and contest for public offices.
2. Gradually the gender issue was raised in poltics.
3. Women in different parts of the world organized and agitated for equal rights.
4. There were agitations in different countries for the extension of voting rights for women.
5. These agitations demanded improving the political and legal status of women and improving their educational and career opportunities.
6. More radical women’s movements aimed at equality in personal and family life as well. These movements are called FEMINIST WOMEN .

We now find women working as sciencetists, doctors, engineers, lawyers, managers and college university teachers which were earlier not considered suitable for women