Question

India's economy is doing well and we have the right to celebrate it. But what we do not like to acknowledge,

let alone address, is another fact: our economy and society, is still extremely biased against women. Perhaps

paying attention to such inconvenient truths would distract us as we march towards superpower status. In the

latest gender gap index report released by the World Economic Forum (WEF), India keeps company with

the worst in the world. Among the 28 countries that have been evaluated by the WEF, India is ranked 114,

followed among others by Yemen, Chad, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Even China, Philippines, Sri Lanka and

Botswana fare much better than us.

The survey contains the proportions of resources opportunities made available to women on educational,

economic, political and health fronts. It is only in the realm of political empowerment that we seem to have

done somewhat OK, ranking 21". That's also thanks to a long spell of prime ministership by Indira Gandhi.

It raises the question why women are badly off in our country if they are politically empowered.

To begin with, we are still largely a feudal and patriarchal society. In many parts of our country, especially

in UP, Bihar, Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab - women are often treated as if they are a piece of property. In

these parts, the sex ratio is most skewed because families often snuff out the lives of girl children before, or

immediately after, they are born, in many parts of India, women are viewed as an economic liability despite

contributing in several ways to our society and economy.

The state has not covered itself with glory either in bridging the gender divide its policies and projects for

women are woefully inadequate. For instance, the literacy rate for females is a mere 48 per cent against 73

per cent for males. Unless we put more of our girl children in school and equip them with quality education -

as opposed to making them merely literate - we can forget about sustainable progress. Public health is

another area of failure. Hundreds of women in rural area die every year during childbirth for want of

medical attention. There are thousands more who do not even have access to a primary health center.

Importantly, reforming property laws more rigorously so that gender parity becomes a reality must rank

among the government top priorities. While these changes are necessary, they will amount to nothing if we

as a society continue to deny our women the dignity, liberty and opportunities that are rightfully theirs. No

society will ever prosper as a whole as long as half of it is constantly treated as somehow less than the other

half.

Choose the correct option

1. India's rank in the realm of political development is 21 due to

a) The resources and opportunities available to women

b) Long spell of prime ministership by Indira Gandhi

c) India is a patriarchal society

d) Women contribute in several ways to our society and economy.

2. The sex ratio is most skewed in the following states of India

a) West Bengal, Odisha, Assam

b) Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh

c) U.P., Bihar, Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab

d) Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, U.P.

3. The most important rights of women

a) Dignity and liberty

b) Dignity and literacy

c) Dignity and well being

d) Dignity and health​

Answer 1

Answer:

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I can't read

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Answer 2

1. Option b is correct.

• India's rank in the realm of political development is 21 due to long spell of prime ministership by Indira Gandhi.

2. Option c is correct.

• The sex ratio is most skewed in U.P., Bihar, Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab.

3. Option a is correct.

• The most important rights of women are Dignity and liberty.