1. Choose the correct option from the given options and complete the statements.
(1) In 1992, a movement against drinkingalcohol was started in
(a) Maharashtra (b) Gujarat (c) Andhra Pradesh (d) Uttarakhand
Answer.
(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
Answer.
(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
Answer.
Wrong Pair : Jyoti Mhapsekar – Committee on the Status of Women
3. Explain the following statements with reasons.
(1) The women’s liberation movement began.
Answer.
The women’s liberation movement began because women faced discrimination in society. To demand equal rights in education, employment, and decision-making, they started this movement for justice and equality.
(2) The Prohibition of Dowry (Amendment) Act was enacted in 1984.
Answer.
The Prohibition of Dowry (Amendment) Act was enacted in 1984 because dowry led to violence and harassment against women. To stop this social evil, the government made stricter laws against it.
(3) The practice of untouchability was banned by law.
Answer.
The practice of untouchability was banned by law because it discriminated against lower castes and denied them basic rights. To promote equality and justice, the Constitution abolished this practice.
(4) The Constitution gives cultural and educational rights to minorities.
Answer.
The Constitution gives cultural and educational rights to minorities so they can preserve their culture, language, and identity. These rights protect them from discrimination and ensure equal opportunities in education.
4. Write short notes on-
(1) Chipko movement
Answer.
(i) The show 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.
Answer.
(i) In 1993, the Protection of Human Rights Act law 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 on the same 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.
Answer.
(i) Women, who have to face the brunt of scarcity of supplies and rising prices, gave a show of their strength as an organised entity in 1972.
(ii) Under the leadership of the socialist leader Mrinal Gore, women in Mumbai participated in a demonstration which came to be known as the laatne morcha (the rolling pin demonstration).
(iii) Commodities like oil, ghee, rava, maida, would become scarce just as Diwali was near at hand. Kerosene had become very expensive.
(iv) Women came together brandishing their rolling pins and took part in the demonstration.
(v) This movement met with success and the public got a glimpse of the united power of women.
(vi) Another show of constructive woman 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.
(vii) In 1992, three youths of Dubuganta village of Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh drowned in a lake, in a state of inebriation, and died.
(viii) At this instance, the women of the village came together and forced the closure of arrack shops.
(ix) The movement spread to the entire State and the government had to adopt a strict policy against the sale of alcohol.
(x) On 4th September 1987, Roop Kanwar, a married woman, committed sati. She did not do this of her own free will; she was coerced into doing so. Committing sati, glorifying the practice of sati were all illegal acts.
(xi) 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.
