Social Science ยท General Awareness

Gender Equality and Empowerment

2,351 Questions

Gender equality and empowerment topics examine the policies and social frameworks designed to eliminate disparities in education and the workplace. These themes are frequently included in general studies papers for civil services. The practice questions address international organizations, sustainable development goals, and human rights education.

Gender equality in educationSustainable development goalsWomen in environmental movementsHuman rights educationWorkplace equality policies

Gender Equality and Empowerment Questions

Multiple choice

India Gender Gap Review 2009 released at the India Economic Summit had ranked India at 114th position out of 134 countries in a study conducted by the World Economic Forum (WEF). Which of the following statements about Gender Gap Review 2009 rankings is/are incorrect?

  1. Iceland, Finland, Norway, Sweden and New Zealand are top ranked countries in descending order of rankings on the Global Gender Gap Index

  2. Out of the four gaps India is the worst on political empowerment gender gap

  3. Out of the four gaps used India is best on health gender gap

  4. The four gaps observed in arriving at the final rank are: health gender gap, education gap, economic participation gap and political empowerment gender gap

  5. Both (2) and (3)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

Out of the four gaps India is worst on health gender gap (134th) and best on political empowerment gender gap (27th).

Multiple choice

Litrate women can help in

  1. reducing infant mortality rate

  2. reducing population growth

  3. promoting female children education

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

(4) Litrate women can help in reducing infant mortality rate, population growth, and in promoting female children education.

Multiple choice

A 'microcosm of society'

Directions: Read the given passage and answer the question that follows by selecting the most appropriate option.
Clearly the socialisation of gender is reinforced at school. "Because classrooms are microcosms of society, mirroring its strengths and ills alike, it follows that the normal socialisation patterns of young children that often lead to distorted perceptions of gender roles are reflected in the classrooms." (Marshall, 1997). Yet gender bias in education reaches beyond socialisation patterns, bias is embedded in textbooks, lessons, and teacher interactions with students. This type of gender bias is part of the hidden curriculum of lessons taught implicitly to students through the everyday functioning of their classroom.
Research has found that boys were far more likely to receive praise or remediation from a teacher than were girls. The girls were most likely to receive an acknowledgement response from their teacher. They give boys greater opportunity to expand ideas and be -animated than they do girls and that they reinforce boys more for general responses than they do for girls. Clearly the socialisation of gender roles and the use of a gender-biased hidden curriculum lead to an inequitable education for boys and girls. Gender bias in education is an insidious problem that causes very few people to stand up and take notice.

  1. has educational facilities

  2. has excellent learning environment

  3. reflects the exceptional achievements of its government

  4. imitates life outside the classroom learning environment
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The passage states that classrooms are 'microcosms of society, mirroring its strengths and ills alike.' A microcosm is a smaller version that represents the larger whole. Therefore, a classroom as a microcosm imitates or reflects life outside the classroom.

Multiple choice

A 'hidden curriculum' implies here that

Directions: Read the given passage and answer the question that follows by selecting the most appropriate option.
Clearly the socialisation of gender is reinforced at school. "Because classrooms are microcosms of society, mirroring its strengths and ills alike, it follows that the normal socialisation patterns of young children that often lead to distorted perceptions of gender roles are reflected in the classrooms." (Marshall, 1997). Yet gender bias in education reaches beyond socialisation patterns, bias is embedded in textbooks, lessons, and teacher interactions with students. This type of gender bias is part of the hidden curriculum of lessons taught implicitly to students through the everyday functioning of their classroom.
Research has found that boys were far more likely to receive praise or remediation from a teacher than were girls. The girls were most likely to receive an acknowledgement response from their teacher. They give boys greater opportunity to expand ideas and be -animated than they do girls and that they reinforce boys more for general responses than they do for girls. Clearly the socialisation of gender roles and the use of a gender-biased hidden curriculum lead to an inequitable education for boys and girls. Gender bias in education is an insidious problem that causes very few people to stand up and take notice.

  1. boys need preferential treatment

  2. the school system enforces sexual stereotypes

  3. the curriculum is gender-biased

  4. girls need more attention while teaching
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The passage states that gender bias is 'part of the hidden curriculum of lessons taught implicitly to students through the everyday functioning of their classroom.' The hidden curriculum refers to the implicit lessons - not the official content but the unwritten, unofficial lessons about values, perspectives, and biases.

Multiple choice

In 'inequitable education',

Directions: Read the given passage and answer the question that follows by selecting the most appropriate option.
Clearly the socialisation of gender is reinforced at school. "Because classrooms are microcosms of society, mirroring its strengths and ills alike, it follows that the normal socialisation patterns of young children that often lead to distorted perceptions of gender roles are reflected in the classrooms." (Marshall, 1997). Yet gender bias in education reaches beyond socialisation patterns, bias is embedded in textbooks, lessons, and teacher interactions with students. This type of gender bias is part of the hidden curriculum of lessons taught implicitly to students through the everyday functioning of their classroom.
Research has found that boys were far more likely to receive praise or remediation from a teacher than were girls. The girls were most likely to receive an acknowledgement response from their teacher. They give boys greater opportunity to expand ideas and be -animated than they do girls and that they reinforce boys more for general responses than they do for girls. Clearly the socialisation of gender roles and the use of a gender-biased hidden curriculum lead to an inequitable education for boys and girls. Gender bias in education is an insidious problem that causes very few people to stand up and take notice.

  1. boys get more school hours

  2. course books are prescribed differently for boys and girls

  3. teachers disrespect girls

  4. learning is not a balanced process between the genders
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The passage concludes that gender bias creates 'an inequitable education for boys and girls.' 'Inequitable' means unfair or unequal. 'Learning is not a balanced process between the genders' directly captures this unfairness. The other options are either unsupported (boys don't get more hours), not mentioned (different course books), or too extreme (teachers don't 'disrespect' girls as stated).

Multiple choice

Socialisation is a process of

Directions: Read the given passage and answer the question that follows by selecting the most appropriate option.
Clearly the socialisation of gender is reinforced at school. "Because classrooms are microcosms of society, mirroring its strengths and ills alike, it follows that the normal socialisation patterns of young children that often lead to distorted perceptions of gender roles are reflected in the classrooms." (Marshall, 1997). Yet gender bias in education reaches beyond socialisation patterns, bias is embedded in textbooks, lessons, and teacher interactions with students. This type of gender bias is part of the hidden curriculum of lessons taught implicitly to students through the everyday functioning of their classroom.
Research has found that boys were far more likely to receive praise or remediation from a teacher than were girls. The girls were most likely to receive an acknowledgement response from their teacher. They give boys greater opportunity to expand ideas and be -animated than they do girls and that they reinforce boys more for general responses than they do for girls. Clearly the socialisation of gender roles and the use of a gender-biased hidden curriculum lead to an inequitable education for boys and girls. Gender bias in education is an insidious problem that causes very few people to stand up and take notice.

  1. causing conform to environmental demands

  2. succumbing to psychological pressures

  3. moulding a child to conform to certain norms of behaviour

  4. learning to accept moral values of a society
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The passage discusses how 'socialisation patterns' lead to 'distorted perceptions of gender roles' in classrooms. Socialisation here means shaping children to follow societal norms. Option C 'moulding a child to conform to certain norms of behaviour' best defines this process. Options A, B, and D misrepresent socialisation as purely about environmental pressures, psychological submission, or moral values.

Multiple choice

'Remediation' in the classroom is the process of

Directions: Read the given passage and answer the question that follows by selecting the most appropriate option.
Clearly the socialisation of gender is reinforced at school. "Because classrooms are microcosms of society, mirroring its strengths and ills alike, it follows that the normal socialisation patterns of young children that often lead to distorted perceptions of gender roles are reflected in the classrooms." (Marshall, 1997). Yet gender bias in education reaches beyond socialisation patterns, bias is embedded in textbooks, lessons, and teacher interactions with students. This type of gender bias is part of the hidden curriculum of lessons taught implicitly to students through the everyday functioning of their classroom.
Research has found that boys were far more likely to receive praise or remediation from a teacher than were girls. The girls were most likely to receive an acknowledgement response from their teacher. They give boys greater opportunity to expand ideas and be -animated than they do girls and that they reinforce boys more for general responses than they do for girls. Clearly the socialisation of gender roles and the use of a gender-biased hidden curriculum lead to an inequitable education for boys and girls. Gender bias in education is an insidious problem that causes very few people to stand up and take notice.

  1. correcting errors orally during the class

  2. reinforcement of good behaviour among learners

  3. giving special coaching for quiet students

  4. stopping a negative trend in learning achievement
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

In educational contexts, remediation means correcting student errors or addressing learning gaps. The passage mentions boys receiving 'praise or remediation' - correction alongside acknowledgment. Option A 'correcting errors orally during the class' matches this practice. Options B, C, and D describe reinforcement, special help, or stopping trends, which aren't the primary meaning of remediation.

Multiple choice

A 'perception' referred to here is that

Directions: Read the given passage and answer the question that follows by selecting the most appropriate option.
Clearly the socialisation of gender is reinforced at school. "Because classrooms are microcosms of society, mirroring its strengths and ills alike, it follows that the normal socialisation patterns of young children that often lead to distorted perceptions of gender roles are reflected in the classrooms." (Marshall, 1997). Yet gender bias in education reaches beyond socialisation patterns, bias is embedded in textbooks, lessons, and teacher interactions with students. This type of gender bias is part of the hidden curriculum of lessons taught implicitly to students through the everyday functioning of their classroom.
Research has found that boys were far more likely to receive praise or remediation from a teacher than were girls. The girls were most likely to receive an acknowledgement response from their teacher. They give boys greater opportunity to expand ideas and be -animated than they do girls and that they reinforce boys more for general responses than they do for girls. Clearly the socialisation of gender roles and the use of a gender-biased hidden curriculum lead to an inequitable education for boys and girls. Gender bias in education is an insidious problem that causes very few people to stand up and take notice.

  1. school curriculum supports the girl child

  2. boys are more intelligent and lively

  3. teachers balance the bias

  4. there is no bias in schools
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The passage describes 'distorted perceptions of gender roles' where boys are seen as more animated and lively, and receive more teacher attention. This reflects a biased perception that boys are naturally more intelligent and dynamic than girls. Options A, C, and D incorrectly suggest the passage supports girls, claims bias is balanced, or denies bias exists - all contrary to the text.

Multiple choice

The reference to males and females as two 'wheels' of society demonstrates

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the question that follows:

Men and women are the two wheels of society. If one of the two falls defective, the society cannot make progress. Hence, we need education for the females same as we need it for the males. Female education is highly necessary for the society. Females are the first teachers of the future citizens of the country. If the mothers be ignorant, they cannot take proper care of the children. They cannot infuse good qualities in them. Hence, the very foundation of our people will remain weak. If the females are ignorant, we will lose the services of a powerful part of our society.

Indians are conservative by nature. Their blind faith and age old superstition stood against the female education. Now, people have felt the virtue of female education. They do not hesitate to send their daughters to schools. Now in India we find women professors, lady doctors, lady scientists, lady politicians and lady ministers. But a large number of women are still in dark. They should be educated in the interest of our national progress.

  1. their importance in 'running' the society

  2. the need for equality to create 'balanced' society

  3. the role of education in society

  4. the slow pace of economic development
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

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Multiple choice

'Women are first teachers of future citizens' highlights the role of women as

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the question that follows:

Men and women are the two wheels of society. If one of the two falls defective, the society cannot make progress. Hence, we need education for the females same as we need it for the males. Female education is highly necessary for the society. Females are the first teachers of the future citizens of the country. If the mothers be ignorant, they cannot take proper care of the children. They cannot infuse good qualities in them. Hence, the very foundation of our people will remain weak. If the females are ignorant, we will lose the services of a powerful part of our society.

Indians are conservative by nature. Their blind faith and age old superstition stood against the female education. Now, people have felt the virtue of female education. They do not hesitate to send their daughters to schools. Now in India we find women professors, lady doctors, lady scientists, lady politicians and lady ministers. But a large number of women are still in dark. They should be educated in the interest of our national progress.

  1. school teachers

  2. mothers

  3. sisters

  4. spouses
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

0 0

Multiple choice

Which of the following are covered under the Millennium Development Goals of the United Nations?

  1. Eradicating extreme poverty and hunger
  2. Achieving universal primary and secondary education
  3. Promoting gender equality and empowering women
  4. Reducing child mortality rates

  1. 1 & 3

  2. 1 & 4

  3. 1, 2 & 4

  4. 1, 3 & 4

  5. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Millennium Development Goals included eradicating extreme poverty and hunger (Goal 1), promoting gender equality and empowering women (Goal 3), and reducing child mortality rates (Goal 4). However, Goal 2 specifically aimed at achieving universal PRIMARY education only, not secondary education.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the following question, five statements are provided. These statements form a coherent paragraph when properly arranged. Select the alternative representing the proper and logical sequencing of these statements.

A. In the first decade after independence, gender equality was recognized as a significant problem and a greater amount of effort went into assuring that exploitation of women would be identified and responded to with proper measures. B. Prior to the enactment of these laws, professionals and politicians were extremely reluctant to identify the necessary legal measures needed to boost equality of the sexes. C. Between 1952 and 1962, several laws were designed to bring about equality to women. D. Justice to women has to be recognized publicly so that human service professionals could respond with proper action. E. But after India became a republic, our new power-holders came to believe that woman's equality was no longer a 'family matter' but a social problem.

  1. ABCDE

  2. ACBED

  3. DACBE

  4. BCADE
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

D begins the sequence as it introduces the subject-'Justice to women'. A talks of first decade after independence whereas period between 1952 & 1962 finds mention in C, thus, we have AC link chronologically. 'These laws' in B refers to 'several laws' in C, thus, we have DACB link. Hence, (3) is the answer.

Multiple choice

Girls have equal right to boys to get education because

  1. they are equally intelligent

  2. our constitution grants equal rights to men and women

  3. some women have risen to the top

  4. women have been prime ministers
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Indian Constitution (Article 14-15, 39) guarantees equality before law and prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth. The constitutional right to equality ensures girls have equal rights to education as boys.

Multiple choice

Girls should be educated in order to

  1. Give them economic independence

  2. Prepare them to bring up their children better

  3. Assist their husbands to advance in society

  4. Help them develop their individuality and personality to the fullest.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Education for girls should focus on their holistic development as individuals, enabling them to develop their personality, critical thinking, and full potential. Option D represents the most empowering and comprehensive view of girls' education. Options A, B, and C are narrow, instrumentalist views that subordinate girls' education to serving others' needs.

Multiple choice

Directions: For this question, select the best of the answer choices given.

Last year in the United States, women who ran for state and national offices were about as likely to win as men. However, only about fifteen percent of the candidates for these offices were women. Therefore, the reason there are so few women who win elections for these offices is not that women have difficulty winning elections but that so few women want to run. Which of the following, if true, most seriously undermines the conclusion given?

  1. Last year the proportion of women incumbents who won reelection was smaller than the proportion of men incumbents who won reelection.

  2. Few women who run for state and national offices run against other women.

  3. Most women who have no strong desire to be politicians never run for state and national offices.

  4. The proportion of people holding local offices who are women is smaller than the proportion of people holding state and national offices who are women.

  5. Many more women than men who want to run for state and national offices do not because they cannot get adequate funding for their campaigns.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

The argument claims that few women win because few women want to run. Option E undermines this by showing that many women want to run but cannot because of funding barriers, suggesting structural rather than motivational reasons for low female representation. If funding is the barrier, then increasing women's willingness to run won't necessarily increase women in office.