Page 12 - Lessonnote_ Social Movement

 Over the years, there have been numerous campaigns that have been taken up.
Important legal changes have taken place due to the campaign by the women’s
movement. Issues of land rights, employment have been fought alongside rights against
sexual harassment and dowry.
 There has been a recognition too that while all women are in some way disadvantaged
vis-a-vis men, all women do not suffer the same level or kind of discrimination.
 The concerns of the educated middle class woman is different from the peasant woman,
just as the concern of the Dalit woman is different from the ‘upper caste’ woman. Let us
take the example of violence.
 There has also been greater recognition that both men and women are constrained by
the dominant gender identities. For instance, men in patriarchal societies feel they must
be strong and successful. It is not, manly, to express oneself emotionally. A gender-just
society would allow both men and women to be free. This of course rests on the idea
that for true freedom to grow and develop, injustices of all kind have to end.
 The idea of gender-just society is based upon two important factors — educated women
with multiple roles and improved sex ratio. The programme of the Government of India,
Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Yojana is an important effort in the actualisation of a gender-
just society.