DD

Dev DudejaAIR 152

Question Q.19ExamineGS1GS1

Women often form the backbone of grassroots movements in India, yet they remain largely invisible and excluded from the decision-making process. Examine.

Open scan (p.47)

Introduction

Women have been considered as 'Secondary Sex' due to patriarchal outlook of society providing exclusion and invisibility as the price of grassroot leadership.

23 words

Main Body

Women as Backbone of Grassroot Movements:

1Important Role in SHG movement (eg SEWA foundation and Mahathir Torham in Tamil Nadu)
2Pioneering Gram Sabha and Panchayat movements (eg Ukhli Gram Panchayat, 50% women led Gram Panchayat in Bihar, Himachal)
3Environmental movements such as Chipko, Appicko, Narmada Bachao (Medha Patkar)
4Social movement such as Health through ASHA Didi

Yet, their role remained largely invisible and excluded from decision making:-

1Social factors -> (i) Patriarchal norms (eg Pradhan Pati Culture)

(ii) Glass Ceiling on growth of women

(iii) Stigmatised role (eg Child Rearing and care giving)

2Economic factors -> (i) Lack of financial autonomy (eg only 42% in labour force LFPR-2023)

(ii) Sticky Floors -> lack of women in senior positions (eg only 13% in corporate management)

3Skewed gender budgets
4Gender Pay Gap -> earning less than 78% of what men earn.
5Political factors -> (i) Lack of representation (eg 13.6% women in 18th Lok Sabha)

(ii) Awareness about political rights and privileges

(iii) Treated as beneficiary rather than participant (eg Ladli Behan Yojana)

180 words5 paragraphs

Conclusion

Thus, as argued by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the progress of society can be measured through progress made by women. Nari Shakti is integral part for Road towards Viksit Bharat by 2047 in Amrit Kaal.

34 words

Diagram

A cloud/bubble diagram titled 'Women as Backbone of Grassroot Movements' with four numbered points branching out

  • Good use of examples across different movement types
  • Clear structured diagram

Topper

Dev Dudeja

AIR 152

Subject & Paper

GS1GS1

Topic

Role of Women and Women's Organization

Women

Women in grassroots movements

Writing Stats

237

Total words

5

Paragraphs