Answer the questions :

1.  How do you think stereotypes, about what women can or cannot do, affect women’s right to equality?
Ans: 
Women are considered inferior to men. It is believed that women do not have technical mind and they are fit to become nurses or teachers. These stereotypes about women’s capability or incapabilities badly affects women’s right to equality.  It is also a reason why they are paid less than their male counterparts.

2.  List one reason why learning the alphabet was so important to women like Rashsundari Devi, Ramabai and Rokeya .
Ans:
  It was by learning the alphabet that women like Rashsundari Devi, Ramabai and Rokeya were able to write letters , stories and autobiographies which describes their own struggle against inequality   prevalent in society.

3.  “Poor girls drop out of school because they are not interested in getting an education” Re-read the last paragraph on Page 62 and explain why this statement is not true.
Ans:  Poor girls are compelled to leave school for a variety of reasons. In rural and backward areas the schools have no buildings , desks, blackboards etc. Teachers are not available here.  Some parents feel that it is not important to educate a girl child. Ultimately she has to get married. So they want to spend money on sending their daughters to schools.

4.  Can you describe two methods of struggle that the women’s movement used to raise issues? If you had to organize a struggle against stereotypes, about what women can or cannot do, what method would you employ from the ones what you have read about? Why would you choose this particular method?
Ans: 
The women’s  movement used several methods to raise issues The two methods are :

i) Campaigning :
-It is an important part of the women’s movement, as it fights discrimination and women related violence. Campaigns have also led  to new laws being passed. In 2006 a  law was passed that gave legal protection to women who are victims  of domestic violence. A similar campaign in the late 90’s gave birth to a  law that protected women from sexual harassment at the workplace.

2) Protesting :
-Public protests and demonstrations are powerful tools for drawing attention to injustices . I would employ  this method in order to dispel a lot of stereotypes about what women can or  cannot do. Awareness alone can achieve what pressure cannot, as people themselves be convinced on their own that certain negative stereotypes are a hindrance to a progressive society.

5.  What do the following mean based on the text? Stereotype,  discrimination,  violation , and sexual harassment.
Ans:

Stereotype :
-When we believe that people belonging to particular groups based on religion, wealth, language are bound to have certain fixed characteristics or can only do a certain type of work we create a stereotype.

Discrimination :
-When we do not treat people equally or with respect we are indulging in discrimination.

Violation :
-When someone forcefully breaks the law or a rule or openly shows disrespect we can say that he or she has committed a violation.

Sexual harassment :
-This refers to physical or verbal behaviour that is of a sexual nature and against the wishes of a woman.