Class 7 Civics: Women Change the World
Questions Covered are:
- What are stereotypes, and how do they affect women?
- Who is Laxmi Lakra, and how did she break stereotypes?
- Why was learning the alphabet so important to women like Rashsundari Devi, Ramabai, and Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain?
- What were the struggles faced by girls in getting an education in the past?
- What is the Women’s Movement, and how has it improved women’s conditions?
- What do we learn about education from the census data?
- Fill in the Blanks
- Intext Q.
- Book back Q.
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Q1: What are stereotypes, and how do they affect women?
Stereotypes are fixed beliefs about a group of people, based on ideas about gender, religion, or background.
- Stereotypes assume that people can only do certain types of work.
- For example, it is believed that:
- Women are suitable for jobs like nursing or teaching because they are gentle and patient.
- Men are better suited for technical jobs like scientists, pilots, or engineers.
- These ideas affect women because:
- Women are not encouraged to study or work in fields like science, engineering, or driving.
- Many families believe that girls should only focus on marriage and household work.
- These stereotypes limit the opportunities for women to learn and grow, preventing them from fulfilling their dreams.
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Q2: Who is Laxmi Lakra, and how did she break stereotypes?
Laxmi Lakra is an inspiring example of a woman who broke stereotypes.
- She belongs to a poor tribal family from Jharkhand.
- Her parents were not literate but worked hard to educate their children.
- Laxmi studied in a government school and later earned a diploma in electronics.
- She became the first woman engine driver for Northern Railways.
- Laxmi faced many challenges in her life:
- She was discouraged when she wanted to study electronics.
- People thought riding motorcycles and becoming an engine driver were not for girls.
- Despite this, Laxmi followed her dreams. She says, “I love challenges, and if someone says something is not for girls, I make sure I do it.”
- Laxmi’s story teaches us that women can do any job if given the chance and support.
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Q3: Why was learning the alphabet so important to women like Rashsundari Devi, Ramabai, and Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain?
Learning the alphabet was very important for these women because it changed their lives.
- Rashsundari Devi (1800–1890):
- She was a housewife from a rich landlord’s family in West Bengal.
- In those days, it was believed that women should not learn to read or write.
- Rashsundari Devi secretly taught herself to read and write after marriage.
- At the age of 60, she wrote her autobiography Amar Jiban, which was the first autobiography written by an Indian woman.
- Ramabai (1858–1922):
- Ramabai learnt to read and write Sanskrit, which was very unusual for women at that time.
- She set up a Mission in Pune to teach widows and poor women skills like carpentry and printing, making them independent.
- Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain (1880–1932):
- Rokeya was not allowed to learn Bangla and English because people thought girls should not learn new ideas.
- She secretly learnt these languages with the help of her brother and sister.
- She wrote the story Sultana’s Dream about a land where women were free to study, work, and invent things.
- She later opened a school for girls in Kolkata in 1910, which is still running today.
These women showed that education gives the power to dream, write, and change the world for the better.
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Q4: What were the struggles faced by girls in getting an education in the past?
Girls faced many struggles in getting an education in the past, including:
- Stereotypes: People believed that girls did not need to study because their role was only to take care of the house.
- Social Restrictions: Girls were not allowed to learn the alphabet or attend schools. Families thought it would bring bad luck.
- Poverty: Many families were poor and could not afford education for all their children. Boys were given preference to study.
- Lack of Schools: In rural areas, there were no proper schools or teachers. Schools were also far from homes, so girls could not travel alone.
- Discrimination: Girls from Dalit, Adivasi, and Muslim communities faced discrimination and were often forced to leave school early.
Even today, in some areas, girls continue to face these struggles, but the situation is improving because of awareness and government programs.
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Q5: What is the Women’s Movement, and how has it improved women’s conditions?
The Women’s Movement is a collective effort by women to fight for their rights and improve their conditions.
- It works to fight discrimination, violence, and inequality faced by women.
- The movement has brought many positive changes, such as:
- New Laws: Women now have legal protection against domestic violence and sexual harassment at workplaces.
- Awareness Campaigns: Women’s rights issues are raised through street plays, songs, and public meetings.
- Protests: Women protest against injustices like dowry deaths and unequal treatment.
- Solidarity: Women show support for each other through programs like celebrating International Women’s Day on March 8th.
- The Women’s Movement has helped pass laws and change mindsets, creating a better future for women and girls.
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Q6: What do we learn about education from the census data?
The census data tells us about the progress of education in India:
- In 1961, only 40% of boys and men were literate, while only 15% of girls and women could read and write.
- By 2011, literacy rates improved:
- 82% of boys and men were literate.
- 65% of girls and women were literate.
- However, there is still a gap between the literacy rates of men and women.
- Girls from Dalit (SC), Adivasi (ST), and Muslim communities are more likely to leave school because of poverty, lack of facilities, and discrimination.
- The government and women’s movements are working to ensure that all girls get equal opportunities for education.
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Fill in the Blanks Questions
- Stereotypes are fixed _______ about a group of people.
- _______ Lakra became the first woman engine driver for Northern Railways.
- Rashsundari Devi wrote her autobiography titled _______.
- Ramabai set up a _______ near Pune to help widows and poor women.
- Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain wrote a story titled _______ to practice her English skills.
- Women face _______ and discrimination because of stereotypes about their abilities.
- According to the 2011 census, _______% of boys and men were literate compared to 65% of girls and women.
- Girls from _______ and _______ communities are more likely to leave school because of poverty and discrimination.
- The Women’s Movement has used methods like _______ and _______ to fight for women’s rights.
- A law was made in _______ to give women legal protection against domestic violence.
- The story Sultana’s Dream imagines a place called _______ where women have freedom to study and work.
- Women often work in agriculture, yet we usually imagine a _______ as a farmer.
- _______ was given the title “Pandita” because she could read and write Sanskrit.
- The women’s movement uses public rallies, demonstrations, and _______ to raise awareness.
- The 2011 census showed that _______ girls are less likely to complete primary school compared to other communities.
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Answers
- beliefs
- Laxmi
- Amar Jiban
- Mission
- Sultana’s Dream
- inequality
- 82%
- Dalit, Adivasi
- protests, campaigns
- 2006
- Ladyland
- man
- Ramabai
- street plays
- Muslim
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Intext Q:
- Are there more images of men than women in different jobs? In what kinds of jobs were there more images of men than women?
- Yes, there are usually more images of men than women in jobs like scientists, pilots, and factory workers.
- Women are more commonly shown as teachers and nurses.
- This shows that certain jobs are seen as suitable only for men or women, creating stereotypes.
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- Have all the nurses been drawn as females? Why?
- Yes, most nurses are drawn as females because of the stereotype that women are gentle, patient, and caring.
- People believe these qualities make women better suited for jobs like nursing.
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- Are there fewer images of female farmers? If so, why?
- Yes, there are fewer images of female farmers.
- Even though 83.6% of working women in India are involved in agriculture, people usually imagine only men as farmers.
- This happens because women’s work in agriculture, such as planting, weeding, and harvesting, is not recognized.
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- If you were Xavier, what subject would you choose and why?
- If I were Xavier, I would choose the subject that I enjoy and am passionate about, like History.
- This is because choosing a subject you like helps you perform better and makes learning enjoyable.
- It is important to follow your interest instead of feeling pressured by others.
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- In your experience, what are some of the other pressures that boys experience?
Boys experience pressures like:- Being expected to choose careers that pay well, like engineering or science.
- Being teased or bullied if they do not behave “like other boys” (e.g., showing emotions like crying).
- Facing pressure to excel in studies, sports, and other activities to prove their worth.
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- Why do you think the percentage of Adivasi girls and boys leaving school is higher than that of any other group?
The percentage of Adivasi girls and boys leaving school is higher because:- Many Adivasi families live in remote areas where schools are far away or do not function properly.
- Poverty prevents families from affording education for their children.
- Children often face discrimination and unfair treatment in schools.
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- What percentage of children leave school at the upper primary level? At which level of education do you see the highest percentage of children leaving?
- At the upper primary level: 4.03% of children leave school.
- The highest dropout rate is seen at the secondary level (Classes 9–10), where 17.06% of children leave school.
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BOOK Back Q:
1. How do you think stereotypes about what women can or cannot do affect women’s right to equality?
Stereotypes greatly affect women’s right to equality in the following ways:
- Limited Opportunities: Stereotypes make people believe that women are only suitable for certain jobs like teaching or nursing, and not for technical fields like engineering or piloting.
- Discouragement: Girls are often discouraged from pursuing education or careers in science, technology, or leadership roles because of these fixed beliefs.
- Discrimination: Women are treated unfairly and face inequality at work, in education, and at home due to these stereotypes.
- Lower Confidence: Stereotypes create pressure on women and girls, making them feel they are not capable of doing certain jobs.
Example: Laxmi Lakra broke this stereotype by becoming the first woman engine driver in Northern Railways.
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2. List one reason why learning the alphabet was so important to women like Rashsundari Devi, Ramabai, and Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain.
Answer:
Learning the alphabet was important for these women because it gave them the power to improve their lives and challenge inequality.
- Rashsundari Devi: She secretly learned to read and write and wrote Amar Jiban, the first autobiography by an Indian woman.
- Ramabai: Learning Sanskrit helped her set up a Mission to educate widows and poor women to become independent.
- Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain: Learning Bangla and English allowed her to write Sultana’s Dream, a story imagining a world where women had freedom to study, work, and invent.
- Education helped these women inspire others and fight against the restrictions placed on them.
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3. “Poor girls drop out of school because they are not interested in getting an education.” Re-read the last paragraph on page 62 and explain why this statement is not true.
This statement is not true because poor girls often face many challenges that force them to leave school. These challenges include:
- Poverty: Many families cannot afford to send all their children to school. Boys are often given preference over girls.
- Lack of Schools: In rural areas, schools may be far away, and there may not be proper transport or facilities for girls.
- Discrimination: Girls from Dalit, Adivasi, and Muslim communities face discrimination from teachers and classmates, making it harder for them to continue their studies.
- Household Responsibilities: Girls are often expected to help with housework and take care of siblings, leaving them no time for school.
Poor girls leave school not because they lack interest but because of social and economic barriers.
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4. Can you describe two methods of struggle that the women’s movement used to raise issues? If you had to organize a struggle against stereotypes about what women can or cannot do, what method would you employ from the ones that you have read about? Why would you choose this particular method?
Answer:
Two methods used by the women’s movement to raise issues:
- Campaigning: Women’s organizations have run campaigns to fight discrimination, spread awareness, and bring about legal reforms. For example, campaigns against dowry deaths led to changes in dowry laws.
- Protesting: Women have organized public rallies, demonstrations, and street plays to protest against violence, inequality, and injustice.
Method I would use:
If I had to organize a struggle against stereotypes, I would use awareness campaigns.
Reasons:
- Campaigns help spread information and change people’s thinking.
- Methods like street plays and songs can reach many people and make them understand the importance of gender equality.
- Campaigns encourage people to support women and question unfair stereotypes.
Awareness campaigns are peaceful and effective in bringing about long-term changes in society.
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