RECORD OF PROJECT WORK IN

ENGLISH CORE (301)

CLASS XII

Name :
Reg. No. :

Academic Session 2021-22

........................................... [Title of Project] ..................
..........................................................................................
..........................................................................................

PROJECT REPORT
Created as part of Assessment in Listening and Speaking
Skills (ALS)

&

Submitted in partial fulfillment of the Class XII Syllabus

Requirement of English Core (301)

By

[Name of Candidate]

[Reg. No: ]

St. Antony’s Public School, Anakkal

2021 - 2022
 OBJECTIVES

“Women empowerment” is a study conducted on the basis of our research and

interviewing people about women empowerment and the need of gender
equality. It is to ask them about the discrimination and violence against women.
We conducted a survey among our friends and fellow students. This project is
aimed at preparing a questionnaire that suits to ask these individuals about the
need of women empowerment and collect data for analysing the facts about
women empowerment.
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Appreciation can make a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it all
into words is all that is necessary. In the accomplishment of this project, many
people have provided their heartfelt support and guidance. I would like to take
this opportunity to extend my sincere thanks to all of them.

First and foremost, I would like to thank the Almighty, for all the blessings he
has bestowed upon us. I would also like to express my sincere thanks, to our
Principal Rev. Fr Joshy Sebastian for giving me the opportunity to work on this
project. I am also thankful to our Vice Principal Rev. Fr. Manu K Mathew for
his support and encouragement.

I am highly indebted to our English Teacher Mr. Joseph P K, for his expert,
sincere and valuable guidance and constant supervision during the making of this
project. I am extremely grateful to my fellow team members for their respective
contributions.

My thanks and appreciation also goes to my parents and friends who helped me
complete this project within the deadline. I also place on record, my sense of
gratitude to one and all who, directly or indirectly, have lent their helping hand
in this venture.
 RECORD OF PROJECT WORK IN
ENGLISH CORE

CERTIFICATE

Certified that this is the bonafide work done as part of Assessment in Listening
and Speaking Skills (ALS) & Submitted in partial fulfillment of the Class XII
Syllabus Requirement of English Core (301) by [Name of the Candidate], Reg.
No. ........................................ of Class XII during the academic year 2021 – 2022

Teacher-in-Charge Principal Examiner

 CONTENTS

1. Action plan

2. Materials

3. Introduction

4. Feminism through the ages in India

5. Survey on women empowerment

6. Steps taken by the government

7. Way to empower women

8. Conclusion

9. Reflection

10.Bibliography
 ACTION PLAN

The entire project has been fulfilled through numerous steps and consultations
with teachers, experts, peers and media. The project aims at achieving a clear
understanding of the idea of women empowerment in our country. I approached
several people with a preprepared questionnaire and asked them about their
opinion on the need of women’s empowerment and the crimes committed against
women. For the project I carried out several studies, readings and interviews
related to my topic and came to know about the discrimination faced by women
and the growth and impact of feminism. Then I analysed the data collected from
various persons and found out the situation of women in our country.
 MATERIALS

Questionnaire

a. Do you think women empowerment is necessary?

b. Are you satisfied with how the government approaches gender-sensitive
issues such as rape, wage gap, domestic violence etc.?
c. If it were up to you how would you punish an individual involved in acid-
throwing?
d. State one reason why crimes against women are increasing.
e. Why do you think Indian parents do not prefer a girl child?
f. Suggest one method to prevent crime against women
g. Have you experienced gender discrimination?
h. Have you experienced eve-teasing?
i. What are the major issues faced by women in India?
j. Why are women paid less than men in the private sector?
 INTRODUCTION

Women’s empowerment can be defined to promoting women’s sense of

selfworth, their ability to determine their own choices, and their right to influence
social change for themselves and others. The empowerment and autonomy of
women and the improvement of their political, social, economic and health status
is a highly important end in itself. In addition, it is essential for the achievement
of sustainable development. Women's empowerment is a critical aspect of
achieving gender equality. It includes increasing a woman's sense of self-worth,
her decision-making power, her access to opportunities and resources, her power
and control over her own life inside and outside the home, and her ability to effect
change. Yet gender issues are not focused on women alone, but on the
relationship between men and women in society.
 FEMINISM THROUGH THE AGES IN INDIA

The history of feminism in India can be divided into three phases:

• the first phase, beginning in the mid-19th century, initiated when

reformists began to speak in favour of women rights by making reforms in
education, customs involving women

• the second phase, from 1915 to Indian independence, when Gandhi

incorporated women's movements into the Quit India movement and
independent women's organisations began to emerge

• the third phase, post-independence focused on fair treatment of women at

home after marriage, in the workforce, and right to political parity.

In the 19th century, a lot of the early struggle saw educated middle-class men
such as

• Raja Ram Mohan Roy who crusaded against Sati, polygamy and child
marriage

• Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar who championed the cause of widow

remarriage

• Mahadev Govind Ranade founded the Widow Marriage Association

in 1861

Some of the women who went on to become feminist ideals include

• Anandibai Joshi – the first Indian woman to study abroad,

• Kamini Roy – who spearheaded India’s suffragist movement and fought

for a woman’s right to education,

• Muthulakshmi Reddy – who studied in a men’s college to become a

doctor and went on to abolish the devadasi system.
• Pandita Ramabai – who started a centre to support widows and studied
the Kindergarten method of education,
• Rukmabai – who defied her child marriage to become

India’s first practising lady doctor

• Cornelia Sorabjee – the first Indian woman lawyer

Savitribai Phule, an inspiring woman who is often described as one of the

first modern Indian feminists, founded the first school for women at Pune in
1848.

The early 20th century saw the rise of courageous and strong-willed women who
were instrumental in India’s freedom struggle.

• Rabindranath Tagore’s sister, Swarnakumari Devi started an initiative,

Sakhi Samiti, in 1896, to help widows, orphan girls and poverty-stricken women
of Bengal
• Annie Besant led the Home Rule League and was elected President of
the Calcutta Congress session in 1917.
• In 1925, Sarojini Naidu was elected President of Indian

National Congress, the first Indian woman to hold that post.

• The era saw the rise of many women’s organizations like the All India
Women’s Conference (AIWC).

The second wave of the women’s rights movement that began in the mid-1970s,
raised wide-ranging issues – from land rights and political representation to
divorce laws and child custody to sexual harassment at work, dowry and rape.

Entering the 21st century, Indian feminism engaged with a whole host of issues
– from domestic violence and rape to victim shaming and consent.
• Indira Jaisingh’s tireless work was instrumental in the framing of the
Domestic Violence Act (2005).
• Meenakshi Arora’s persistent efforts culminated in the legislation of the
Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act (2013)

The movement to secure rights for women in India has come a long way. Thanks
to these inspiring and fierce personalities who made it possible by relentlessly
fighting the forces of patriarchy.
 SURVEY ON WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

Our survey on women empowerment was conducted among 45 female students

from various backgrounds on 26th January 2022.

This report covers the students’ opinions on women’s empowerment, the safety
of women, and discrimination faced by women.

From our report, we found that

• Most of the participants agreed that women still need to be empowered.

• 92.6% of the people were unsatisfied with the government approach on gender-
sensitive issues such as rape, wage gap domestic violence

• 74.4% of them have faced gender discrimination

• 54.2% of them have experienced some sought of eve-teasing

Main issue faced by women in India

Disparity in job
opportunities/Wage gap
4%
9% Social stigma
33%
16% No voice in society

Beauty standards

38%
Disparity in education
 We asked our participants to suggest a punishment for individuals involved in
acid throwing. These were the results:

Punishment

4%
11% Throw acid on him
40% Life imprisonment
16%
Hanging
11% Public humiliation
18% Cut off hands
Burn alive

When asked about the reason for the increasing crime rate against women in
India,
➢ 46.8% of them stated that it was due to the ill mentality of men
➢ 21.3% of them said the reason was lack of proper moral education from family
and society for men
➢ 16.1% thought the reason was due to the loophole in the law enforcement system
➢ 15.8% of them said that it is happening as women are considered vulnerable

SUGGESTIONS TO PREVENT SUCH CRIMES

➢ Most of the suggestions we received was to educate both boys and girls on the
importance of mutual respect and dignity, and many of them suggested that the
law should be stricter towards such crimes.
 REASON FOR DECLINING SEX RATIO IN INDIA

➢ Participants stated the major reason for female foeticide is the burden of paying
dowry and the social stigma that considers women as inferior and unworthy to
society.

REASON FOR UNEQUAL WAGE GAP IN PRIVATE SECTOR

➢ The main reason people suggested that it was due to the patriarchal mentality of
society which thinks women are not capable in comparison with men in
completing their work

CONCLUSION

From our survey, we have come to the conclusion that in today’s modern world
women still faces discrimination, inequality, safety threat, etc. Therefore
women’s empowerment is very necessary. India has a long way to go to attain
gender equality.
 STEPS TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT

1) Against Dowry

Under the Dowry Prohibition Act, any act to take or give dowry is punishable in
India. The punishment for violating the anti-dowry law is imprisonment for up
to 5 years and fine of Rs.15000 or the value of dowry given, whichever is more.

2) Against rape

The anti-rape law has made it mandatory for hospitals to give treatment to
victims of sexual assault without waiting for the arrival of police.
A man convicted of raping a woman faces a minimum 10-year prison sentence.
This may increase to a life sentence or even a death sentence depending on the
circumstances and details of the crime.

3) Against sexual assaults

One Stop Centre Scheme: It was implemented on April 1, 2015. One-Stop

Centres are established all over the country to provide shelter, police desk, legal,
medical and counselling services to victims of violence under one roof,
integrated with a 24-hour helpline. The helpline number is 181.

4) Against domestic violence

The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005: It has been
enacted to criminalize instances of dowry and domestic violence. The law
focuses on the “reliefs given to the aggrieved women such as compensation,
protection, right to residence in the shared household”. Breaking this law results
in imprisonment up to 3 years and a fine.

5) Against child marriage

The Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929 was amended in 1978 to change
marriageable age to 18 for girls and 21 for boys. Whoever, being a male adult
above eighteen years of age, contracts a child marriage shall be punishable with
rigorous imprisonment up to two years or with fine up to one lakh rupees or with
both.

6) Against female foeticide

The Indian Government enacted the Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PDNT)

Act, which prohibits sex selection and regulates prenatal diagnostic techniques
to prevent their misuse. The PNDT Act provides for a maximum punishment of
three-year jail term and a penalty of up to Rs.50000.
 WAYS TO EMPOWER WOMEN

Empowerment is a process rather than a product. There is a wide range of

approaches and methods to empower women. Individuals and the government
must work together to achieve this.

Political empowerment of women

Introduction of structural changes to political frameworks and social changes in

how we expect women and leaders to behave can give way to increasing
women’s political aspirations. Seat reservations for female elected officials
increases female electoral participation. Mentorship, confidence building, media
training and political campaign education help to increase adolescent girls’ and
women’s political aspirations and efficacy despite structural obstacles.

Role of Education in Empowerment

Education helps in empowerment of women to a very great extent. Equal access

to education for women and girls must be ensured. Special measures should be
taken to eliminate discrimination, universalize education, create a gender-
sensitive educational system and increase enrolment and retention rates of girls.
Gender sensitive curricula has to be developed at all levels of educational system
in order to address sex stereotyping as one of the causes of gender discrimination.

Economic empowerment of women

Economic policies and poverty eradication programmes that would specifically

address the needs and problems of poverty-stricken women must be
implemented.
Also, women in various industries should be given comprehensive support in
terms of labour legislation, social security etc. The existing gender pay gap must
be eliminated. Women-friendly personnel policies should be drawn up to
encourage them.

Elimination of violence against women and girls

All forms of violence against women, physical and mental, whether at domestic
or societal levels, including those arising from customs, traditions or accepted
practices must be eliminated. Institutions and mechanisms for assistance should
be created and strengthened for prevention of such violence and for taking
effective action against the perpetrators of such violence. There should be strict
enforcement of laws against prenatal sex selection and the practices of female
foeticide, etc.

Role of Mass Media

Media must be used to portray images consistent with human dignity of girls and
women. Special measures must be taken to remove demeaning, degrading and
negative conventional stereotypical images of women and violence against
women. The media should be encouraged to develop codes of conduct,
professional guidelines and other self regulatory mechanisms to remove gender
stereotypes and promote balanced portrayals of women and men.
 CONCLUSION

Today, more than ever, women are enjoying freedom. They can decide on their
own. Unfortunately, there is still a long way to go to achieve full equality of
rights and opportunities between men and women. So often our subjectivity
towards genders leads to cognitive-biases which influences our decisions. It takes
plenty of introspection and a conscious collective effort to let women their space,
while not thinking of it as a privilege or a favour. Therefore, it is of paramount
importance to end the multiple forms of gender violence and secure equal access
to quality education and health, economic resources and participation in political
life for both women and girls and men and boys. It is also essential to achieve
equal opportunities in access to employment and to positions of leadership and
decision-making at all levels.
 REFLECTIONS

The project helped me to understand the difference in how women and men are
treated and the difficulties faced by women in today’s world. It also helped me
to understand the need to address gender inequality, women empowerment, etc.
It surprised me that even after these many years since independence, women are
still treated inferior to men and the belief that women should be confined within
the four walls of their home is still prevalent in India.

For this project I had to take interviews and it helped me to interact with people
from different backgrounds. All of them shared their experience with me and I
recorded it in my diary. This type of exposure will enrich our listening and
speaking ability. Also, this project gave me an opportunity to work in a team
which was an amazing experience.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. India Today
2. The Week
3. Deccan Chronicle
4. The Hindu
5. https://wcd.nic.in/womendevelopment/national-policy-women-
empowerment
6. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_empowerment
7. https://www.peacecorps.gov/educators/resources/global-issues-gender-
equality-and-womens-empowerment/