1. Choose the correct option from the given options and complete the statements.

(1) In 1992, a movement against drinking alcohol was started in 

(a) Maharashtra 

(b) Gujarat

(c) Andhra Pradesh

(d) Uttarakhand

Ans: (c) Andhra Pradesh

(2) In 1975, the government of India formed the Committee on the Status of Women under the chairmanship of 

(a) Dr Phulrenu Guha 

(b) Uma Bharati 

(c) Vasundhara Raje 

(d) Pramila Dandavate

Ans: (a) Dr Phulrenu Guha 

2. Identify and write the wrong pair.

(1) Saudamini Rao – Stree-Mukti Andolan Samiti

(2) Vidya Bal – Nari Samata Manch

(3) Pramila Dandavate – Mahila Dakshata Samiti

(4) Jyoti Mhapsekar – Women’s Commission

Ans: (4) Jyoti Mhapsekar – Women’s Commission

3. Explain the following statements with reasons.

(1) The women’s liberation movement began.

Ans: 

(i) In 1975, the government of India constituted the Committee on the Status of Women and appointed Dr. Phulrenu Guha as its chairman.

(ii) A comprehensive study was conducted of several issues, such as the social position of women, their status, the consequences of the constitutional provisions made for women, the education of women and its percentage, their progress due to education, the difficulties faced by working women, the position of women with respect to work and livelihood, their wages (relative to men’s wages), the female-male ratio, birth and mortality rates, and the role of women, which indicated gender-based discrimination.

(iii) Taking this entire background into consideration, a state-wide conference for women was held in 1975, organised by the Stree-mukti Sangharsha Samiti.

(iv) The Samiti published its manifesto in 1978. The policy of a struggle against discrimination on the basis of gender, caste, and varna was adopted.

(v)As a result, the women’s liberation movement began. 

(2) The Prohibition of Dowry (Amendment) Act was enacted in 1984.

Ans:

(i) Even after the enactment of the anti-dowry law, incidents like “Woman burns to death as sari pallu catches fire while cooking” and “Woman slips into a well while washing clothes, drowns, and dies” continued to be reported.

(ii) Investigations still revealed dowry to be the most frequent cause of such deaths.

(iii) The roles of the police, the administration, and the judiciary were highlighted. This created greater awareness.

(iv) As a result, the Dowry Prohibition (Amendment) Act came into force in 1984.

(v) In 1988, 2209 women fell victim to the dowry tradition. In 1990, the number of dowry deaths was 4835, and in 1993, it was 5377. These numbers show the seriousness of the issue.

(3) The practice of untouchability was banned by law. 

Ans: 

(i) In the post-independence period, our Constitution adopted the values of freedom, equality, fraternity, and social justice.

(ii) In accordance with this, the practise of untouchability was banned by law.

(iii) Untouchability was removed by the 17th paragraph of the Constitution, and this class was included in the Scheduled Castes.

(iv) In view of the educational and social backwardness of scheduled castes, they were given reservations in education as well as jobs to facilitate their development.

(4) The Constitution gives cultural and educational rights to minorities.

Ans: 

(i) In any society, a group of people of a particular religion, language, or race who are few in number are termed a “minority.”

(ii) As there are various religions, sects, and languages in our country, we see great cultural diversity. There is variation in cultural traditions, too.

(iii) In order to preserve their cultural traditions and develop their own language, the Constitution gives the citizens certain educational and cultural rights.

(iv) Minorities have the right to protect and conserve their language, culture, and traditions.

(v) For this purpose, they have the right to set up separate educational institutions.

(vi) The government implements various schemes for their progress.

4. Write short notes on-

(1) Chipko movement

Ans: 

(i) The demonstration of constructive woman power was seen during the Chipko movement in 1973.

(ii) Trees from the forests in the foothills of the Himalayas were to be cut down for commercial purposes.

(iii) Chandiprasad Bhat and Sunderlal Bahuguna had started a movement to prevent this.

(iv) Women followed the strategy of holding hands and encircling each tree.

(v) As their method consisted of protecting the tree by embracing it, the movement came to be known as the Chipko movement.

(vi) Women took part in it in large numbers. Women had a big role to play in the agricultural economy of this region.

(vii) Gaura Devi was the activist who created this awareness among the women with the help of Sudesha Devi and Bachani Devi.

(2) Protection of Human Rights Act.

Ans: 

(i) In 1993, the Protection of Human Rights Act was enacted to prevent injustice to men and women.

(ii) The National Human Rights Commission was also formed for this purpose.

(iii) In some states, the State Human Rights Commission was also formed along these lines.

(iv) This law, which deals with collective oppression, the social conditions of divorced women, women, and secure work places, played an effective role in mitigating injustices to women.

5. Answer the following question in detail.

Explain with examples how the united strength of women can bring about constructive changes in various fields.

Ans: 

(i) In 1972, women, who had to face the brunt of scarcity and rising prices, showed their strength as an organised entity. Under the leadership of socialist leader Mrinal Gore, women in Mumbai participated in a demonstration that came to be known as the laatne morcha (the rolling pin demonstration). Commodities like oil, ghee, rava, and maida would become scarce just as Diwali approached. Kerosene had become very expensive. Women came together, brandishing their rolling pins, and took part in the demonstration. This movement met with success, and the public got a glimpse of the united power of women.

(ii) Another show of constructive women’s power was seen during the Chipko movement in 1973. Gaura Devi was the activist who created awareness among the women with the help of Sudesha Devi and Bachani Devi.

(iii) In 1992, three youths from Dubuganta village in Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh, drowned in a lake in a state of inebriation. In this instance, the women of the village came together and forced the closure of arrack shops. The movement spread to the entire state, and the government had to adopt a strict policy against the sale of alcohol.

(iv) On September 4, 1987, Roop Kanwar, a married woman, committed suicide. She did not do this of her own free will; she was coerced into doing so. Committing sati and glorifying the practise of sati were all illegal acts. The women activists and journalists, Meena Menon, Geeta Seshu, Sujata Anandan, Anu Joseph, and Kalpana Sharma, investigated the case. In 1998, the government passed the Sati (Prevention) Act with very stringent provisions.