Chapter: 04. Gender Equality
4) Gender Equality: Learning About Fairness
What You Will Learn
In this study document, you will learn important ideas about how everyone deserves to be treated equally. We will explore:
The importance of respecting one another. Why boys and girls should be treated equally. How girls and boys should have the same chances and opportunities in life.
Understanding Fair Treatment
Every person has a right to feel safe and happy wherever they live. However, sometimes people are not treated equally. All around the world, people can be treated differently or unfairly based on the group they belong to.
Gender Roles
Gender refers to whether someone is male or female. Historically, and in many places still today, boys and girls are treated differently:
Girls are often expected to behave, dress, speak, and act in specific ways that are different from boys. Girls and women are commonly expected to be caring, gentle, and obedient. Boys and men are often expected to be strong and to hide their feelings. These different expectations are called gender roles.
FactPedia: About 3 million girls in India do not attend school. In many families, boys are given more importance than girls. This can lead to unfair treatment of girls and women, such as not being allowed to go to school or being married at a young age.
Girls and Boys are Equal
Good news! Gender roles are gradually changing around the world.
Equality in Education and Activities
In many schools today, boys and girls study together. These are called co-educational schools. In co-educational schools, girls and boys: Take part in the same competitions, quizzes, and debates. Are given equal opportunities to participate in all events. Equality in Homes and Careers
In modern homes, men and boys are increasingly sharing household chores. Men might look after children, and boys help their parents with housework. In some families, women go out to work while men look after the home. The responsibility of looking after the home and family should be shared by both men and women. Both men and women have equal opportunities to follow their careers (jobs people do). Many women work as doctors, engineers, scientists, astronauts, and athletes. There are women’s and men’s cricket and football teams. Talented individuals, regardless of gender, are given respect and treated with courtesy (being polite to others).
Green Earth: Balancing Genders
It’s important to have a balance in the number of males and females in a country for the human race to continue thriving. In some countries, there are more boys than girls, which highlights the need to ensure girls are valued and protected.
Inspiring Achievers
Many individuals, both men and women, have achieved great success in various fields, demonstrating that talent and hard work are not limited by gender.
Indra Nooyi: Former Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of PepsiCo.
Mary Kom: Olympic Indian boxer.
Ratan Tata: Famous Indian industrialist.
Vikas Thakur: An Indian weightlifter.
Indira Gandhi: The first and only woman Prime Minister in India.
Kalpana Chawla and Rakesh Sharma: Indians who traveled to space (astronauts).
Some professions shown in chapter images include military soldiers and Indian Air Force officers. These professions are open to both men and women.
Chapter Summary
To wrap up, remember these key points about gender equality:
People around the world, whether boys or girls, are sometimes treated differently. Gender means being male or female. Today, it is increasingly recognized that girls and boys should be given equal opportunities in all areas of life. Both men and women can pursue the same careers and share responsibilities at home. Respecting each other is essential for a fair and happy environment. Further Resources
For more information on gender equality, you can visit these websites:
Self Study
