Gender, Religion and Caste

Gender and politics

Gender division is a hierarchical social division present universally but often overlooked in political studies. Unlike biological sex, gender refers to social and cultural differences and roles assigned to men and women. These roles are not natural or unchangeable but are shaped by social expectations and stereotypes. For example, household work such as cooking, cleaning, washing clothes, tailoring, and child care is predominantly done by women, a system known as the sexual division of labour. Men usually perform work outside the home. This division is not due to inability but social norms that assign domestic responsibilities to women. Women also engage in paid work, especially in rural areas (fetching water, collecting fuel, working in fields) and urban settings (domestic helpers, office workers), but their work is often undervalued and unrecognized. This division results in women’s minimal participation in public life and politics historically. Initially, only men had voting rights and could contest elections. Over time, women’s movements worldwide demanded equal political and legal rights, including voting rights, educational and career opportunities, and equality in personal and family life. These movements are termed feminist movements. Political mobilization on gender issues has improved women’s participation in professions like science, medicine, engineering, law, and education. In some countries like Sweden, Norway, and Finland, women’s participation in public life is very high. In India, despite progress since Independence, patriarchy prevails, and women face discrimination and disadvantages. Literacy rates for women are lower than men, and fewer girls pursue higher education due to parental preferences favoring boys. Women’s work is often unpaid and invisible despite working longer hours than men on average. The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 mandates equal pay for equal work, but wage disparities persist. Sex-selective abortions have led to a declining child sex ratio, with some states having ratios below 850 girls per 1000 boys. Violence and harassment against women, including domestic violence, remain significant problems. Women’s political representation in India is low, with women constituting only about 14.36% of Lok Sabha members as of 2019 and less than 5% in many state assemblies. Local government bodies have reserved one-third of seats for women, leading to over 10 lakh elected women representatives. The Women's Reservation Act, 2023, reserves 33% of seats for women in Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, and the Delhi Assembly. This political expression of gender division has helped address women’s issues and improve their status. Feminism is distinguished from casteism and communalism because it seeks equality and justice rather than division or domination based on identity. **Table on page 4 (6×3)** | Activities | Men | Women | | --- | --- | --- | | Income generating work | 6:00 | 2:40 | | Household and related work | 0:30 | 5:00 | | Talking, Gossip | 1:25 | 1:20 | | No work/ Leisure | 3:40 | 3:50 | | Sleep, self-care, reading etc. | 12:25 | 11:10 |

• Gender division is a social and cultural construct, not biological.
• Sexual division of labour assigns household work mainly to women.
• Women’s work is often unpaid and undervalued despite longer working hours.
• Feminist movements demand equal rights and opportunities for women.
• Women’s political representation in India remains low but is improving via reservations.
• Patriarchy and discrimination continue to limit women’s access to education, employment, and safety.
• 📌 Sexual division of labour: System where women do most household work and men do outside work.
• 📌 Feminist: A person who believes in equal rights and opportunities for women and men.
• 📌 Patriarchy: A social system where men hold power and dominate women.

Religion, communalism and politics

Religious diversity is widespread in India and many other countries, with followers of different religions living together. Religion is a system of beliefs and practices related to the sacred and divine. Religion and politics are often intertwined. For example, Mahatma Gandhi believed that politics must be guided by ethical values derived from religion, not by any particular religion itself. Human rights groups demand government action to prevent communal riots and protect religious minorities. Women’s movements highlight that family laws of various religions discriminate against women and call for reforms. Religion can play a positive role in politics when it helps express the needs and interests of religious communities and when the state ensures equality and prevents discrimination within religious groups. However, problems arise when religion becomes the basis of the nation or political identity, leading to communalism. Communalism is the belief that religion is the principal basis of social community, that followers of one religion form a unified community with common interests, and that people of different religions cannot live together as equal citizens. This belief is flawed because individuals have multiple identities and interests beyond religion, and there are diverse voices within every religious community. Communalism manifests in several ways: everyday religious prejudices and stereotypes; quests for political dominance by majority or minority religious groups; political mobilization using religious symbols, leaders, and emotional appeals; and communal violence such as riots and massacres. India has experienced severe communal violence, especially during Partition and in the post-Independence period. To combat communalism, India adopted a secular state model reflected in the Constitution. The Constitution declares no official religion, guarantees freedom to profess, practice, and propagate any religion or none, prohibits religious discrimination, and allows state intervention to ensure equality within religions (e.g., banning untouchability). Secularism is a foundational principle of India, necessary to protect the nation’s unity and democracy. However, constitutional provisions alone are insufficient; communal prejudices and politics must be challenged in everyday life and political arenas.

• Religion is a system of beliefs and practices related to the sacred.
• Religion and politics are interconnected but should promote ethics and equality.
• Communalism is the belief that religion defines social community and interests.
• Communalism leads to religious prejudice, political dominance, mobilization, and violence.
• India is a secular state with no official religion and guarantees religious freedom.
• Secularism is essential to combat communalism and protect democracy.
• 📌 Communalism: Political ideology that religion is the principal basis of community and social identity.
• 📌 Secular state: A state with no official religion that treats all religions equally and guarantees freedom of religion.
• 📌 Family laws: Laws governing marriage, divorce, inheritance, etc., which vary by religion in India.