Gender inequality defines the practice of granting or denying rights or privileges to the people based on their gender. Despite the fact that women make more than 50% of the World population, gender based discrimination against women still remains an undeniable fact in Pakistan and across the globe, potentially hampering its socio- economic advancement and progress. The major half of the population is badly neglected in almost all the fields of life, especially education, health, economic opportunities and political participation.
The issue of gender inequality is, sometimes, wrongly ascribed to religion. As a matter of fact, its primary causes are the various cultural norms and the patriarchal mind set.
Males are considered physically powerful and females as psychologically sensitive or weak. From birth, male and female offsprings are raised differently. Since their babyhood, boys are let to play with toys like trucks or other sports related things. Girls, on the other hand, are introduced more commonly to dolls, dresses and playhouses, where they take care of dolls as if they were children. Women are supposed to be submissive to men and are viewed as a property. They are not allowed to take independent decisions even about some of their very fundamental and sheerly personal matters like education, marriage and job etc. These trends set by the society put men and women on certain paths, and throughout life, are seen as two very different species who have very different personalities and should always stay on separate paths.
Question 1: What is gender inequality, and how does it affect society?
Answer: Gender inequality is the practice of granting or denying rights based on gender, which negatively impacts societal advancement, especially for women.
Question 2: What are the primary causes of gender inequality according to the passage?
Answer: The primary causes of gender inequality are various cultural norms and the patriarchal mindset, not religion as often presumed.
Question 3: How are boys and girls raised differently, according to the passage?
Answer: Boys are encouraged to play with toys like trucks, while girls are introduced to dolls and playhouses, reinforcing societal gender norms.
Question 4: Why are women often not allowed to make independent decisions about fundamental matters like education and marriage?
Answer: Women are viewed as submissive to men and are considered property, leading to restrictions on their decision-making autonomy.
Question 5: How does gender inequality impact fields like education, health, and economic opportunities?
Answer: Gender inequality results in women being neglected in various fields of life, including education, health care, economic opportunities, and political participation.
Question 6: What viewpoint does the passage express regarding the treatment of men and women in society?
Answer: The passage highlights how societal norms place men and women on separate paths, treating them as different species with different personalities.