Gender and Politics: Long Answer Questions and Answers
Medium (Application & Explanation)
1. Explain the sexual division of labour. How does it shape the public and private divide?
Answer:
The sexual division of labour means work is split by gender, not by ability.
Men are linked to the public sphere. They work outside and get paid.
Women are linked to the private sphere. They do housework and care work at home.
This makes men’s work look valuable and women’s work look invisible.
It limits women’s freedom, income, and public role.
It strengthens patriarchy and keeps old gender roles in place.
2. Why is women’s domestic work often invisible in the economy? Suggest ways to recognize it.
Answer:
Most domestic work is unpaid, so it is treated as not work.
It is seen as a woman’s duty, not a skill or service.
It is not counted in GDP, so the economy hides women’s contribution.
To recognize it, we can use time-use surveys to measure hours of care work.
The government can report satellite accounts for unpaid care in national data.
Policies like crèches, paid care leave, and community kitchens can show its value.
3. What is the “double burden” on women? How can it be reduced?
Answer:
The double burden means women do paid work and all housework too.
This causes long hours, stress, and less rest and leisure.
It affects women’s health, career growth, and education time.
Families should share chores. Men must do equal housework.
Workplaces need childcare, flexible hours, and safe transport.
The State must support public childcare, elder care, and enforce equal pay.
4. What are the main goals of feminist movements? Why are they not anti-men?
Answer:
Feminism seeks equality in political, economic, social, and personal life.
It fights patriarchy, where men hold power and set rules.
It demands equal pay, education, property rights, and safety.
It supports political rights like voting and representation.
It is not about hating men. It is about changing unjust systems.
It also frees men from rigid roles like “no emotions” or only being earners.
5. Why does women’s political representation matter for democracy and policy?
Answer:
Half the population must be present for true democracy.
Women leaders bring new priorities like health, education, and sanitation.
They improve accountability and service delivery in local bodies.
Their presence creates role models for girls and young women.
It challenges biases in parties and voter behavior.
It leads to inclusive laws and fairer budgets.
6. Describe the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments. How did they change local governance?
Answer:
These Amendments (1992) gave power to Panchayats and Municipalities.
They reserved 33% seats and chairperson posts for women.
This brought over a million women into local politics.
It raised focus on water, roads, schools, and health.
It built women’s confidence, voice, and leadership skills.
It proved that reservation can transform participation and outcomes.
High Complexity (Analysis & Scenario-based)
7. A village has 33% seats reserved for women, but many seats are controlled by male relatives (“proxy” leaders). How can genuine participation be ensured?
Answer:
Give training to elected women on laws, budgets, and meeting rules.
Make attendance, speaking time, and signatures of members mandatory.
Ensure meetings are at convenient times and in safe places for women.
Form women’s collectives and self-help groups to support leaders.
Use social audits, public dashboards, and RTI to increase transparency.
Penalize coercion by relatives. Provide helplines and legal aid.
8. The Women’s Reservation Bill (2023) promises 33% seats in Parliament and Assemblies but depends on census and delimitation. Predict its impact and challenges.
Answer:
Short term: Parties must identify, train, and promote women candidates.
Long term: It can shift policy focus to care economy, safety, and services.
It may change party culture, reduce gatekeeping, and build bench strength.
Challenge: Delay due to census and delimitation processes.
Risk: Tokenism or fielding relatives without real power.
Solution: Set party-level quotas, campaign finance support, and mentorship.
9. “Quotas harm merit.” Evaluate this claim using evidence from local reservations.
Answer:
Merit grows where there is access and opportunity, not just privilege.
Local reservations brought many women who delivered better services.
Evidence shows more work on water, sanitation, and schools under women.
Quotas break entry barriers built by patriarchy and money power.
Over time, they create a level playing field and widen the talent pool.
So, quotas can build merit, not break it.
10. Design a school-community campaign to reduce sexual division of labour at home. Give steps and outcomes.
Answer:
Step 1: Hold awareness sessions on unpaid work and the double burden.
Step 2: Run a 7-day “Share the Chores” challenge for all families.
Step 3: Use time-use diaries to track who does what at home.
Step 4: Create peer clubs for boys and girls to learn life skills equally.
Step 5: Share pledges, posters, and videos on equal housework.
Outcome: More shared chores, reduced gender bias, and better respect at home.
11. A political party says “women have low winnability,” so they give fewer tickets. Analyse this claim and suggest reforms.
Answer:
“Low winnability” is often a bias, not a fact.
Winnability rises with party support, resources, and visibility.
Denying tickets keeps women unknown, which then reduces winnability.
Reform 1: Mandatory party quotas for tickets and leadership posts.
Reform 2: Equal campaign funds, media time, and security support.
Reform 3: Publish candidate data and track performance to build trust.
12. Suppose a city council with 33% women leaders must set its 5-year plan. What priorities and budgeting choices can make governance more gender-responsive?
Answer:
Prioritize safe transport, street lighting, and toilets for women.
Expand primary health, maternal care, and nutrition programs.
Invest in schools, hostels, and scholarships for girls.
Build crèches near markets and offices to support working mothers.
Create complaint cells for harassment with quick redressal.
Use gender budgeting to track funds and measure outcomes each year.
13. How do patriarchal norms shape both candidate selection and voter behavior? Propose a multi-level solution.
Answer:
Parties assume men are stronger candidates due to old biases.
Voters may judge women by appearance, family, or mobility.
Media can repeat stereotypes, which hurts women’s image.
Solution 1: Internal party reforms and transparent selection.
Solution 2: Civic education and media guidelines against sexism.
Solution 3: Security, finance access, and legal support for women.
14. Link the idea of feminist movements to better everyday outcomes for families and society.
Answer:
Feminism promotes equal rights, which improves family well-being.
Equal pay increases household income and children’s education.
Shared chores reduce stress and improve health for women.
Less violence and more respect make homes safer.
Girls gain confidence and aim for leadership roles.
Society becomes more fair, productive, and peaceful.
