Question

Which factors are responsible for the miserable and poor conditions of women in India?
1. The sexual division of labor
2. Illiteracy
3. Lack of representation in politics
4. Discrimination in Jobs

A. Only 1 and 3.
B. Only 1, 2, and 3.
C. Only 2, 3, and 4.
D. All 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Answer 1

Hint Gender injustice is a major problem that is faced by people in India, particularly women. From not wanting a girl child to considering her a burden and an unwanted entity, there are various factors where discrimination against women has been very prevalent.

Complete step-by-step solution
Despite getting equal rights and privileges, the men and women of our society are still getting different social treatments, be it at the work front or providing education or enjoying the same privileges and rights. Some of the factors that are responsible for creating the gender gap in our society are the traditional value system, illiteracy, lack of awareness, non-availability of proper guidance, low mobility, lack of self-confidence, and family discouragement. Women are also not able to respond to new opportunities and shift to new occupations because their mobility tends to be low due to intra-house hold allocation of responsibilities. Moreover, women are not only getting unequal pay for equal or more work but also, they are being offered only low-skill jobs for which lower wages are paid. Poverty and illiteracy have become a major form of inequality based on gender.

Thus, option (D) is correct.

Additional Information Despite the notable efforts by the countries all over the globe that have aimed at expanding the provision of basic education, there are approximately 960 million illiterate adults of whom two-thirds are women.

Note 2014: India’s ranking stands at 127 out of 152 countries in the UNDP’s Gender Inequality Index list. The ranking lies only above Afghanistan as far as SAARC countries are concerned.