Democratic Politics: Power and Federalism · Term 2

Federalism: Key Features and Types

Define federalism, identify its key features, and differentiate between 'coming together' and 'holding together' federations.

About This Topic

Gender is a social construct that often leads to unequal power relations. This topic examines the 'sexual division of labour', where women are expected to do all the housework while men work in the public sphere, and how this limits women's participation in politics. Students explore the history of the feminist movement and the struggle for women's representation in Indian legislatures.

The curriculum highlights that while women's participation in local bodies has increased due to reservations, their presence in Parliament remains low. This unit is essential for developing a critical perspective on social justice. This topic comes alive when students can physically model the patterns of representation and debate the necessity of the Women's Reservation Bill.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle: The Global Gender Gap

Groups compare the percentage of women in the Indian Parliament with other countries (e.g., Rwanda, Sweden, USA). They discuss why some countries have much higher representation and what India can learn from them.

⏱ 40 min·Small Groups

Generate mission

Formal Debate: Reservations for Women

Students debate whether a mandatory 33% reservation for women in Parliament is the best way to ensure gender equality, or if there are other social and educational barriers that need to be addressed first.

⏱ 45 min·Whole Class

Generate mission

Think-Pair-Share: The Public-Private Divide

Students list the 'work' done by men and women in their own households. They pair up to discuss how this 'private' division of labour affects who has the time and resources to participate in 'public' politics.

⏱ 20 min·Pairs

Generate mission

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Gender inequality is a 'natural' difference between men and women.

What to Teach Instead

Students often confuse biological sex with gender. Peer discussion helps them see that 'gender' is a set of social expectations and roles that can be changed, rather than a fixed biological fact.

Common Misconception

Women are not interested in politics.

What to Teach Instead

Many think women 'choose' to stay away. Investigating the success of over 10 lakh women in local Panchayats helps students understand that when barriers are removed, women are highly active and effective political leaders.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 'sexual division of labour'?

It is a system in which all work inside the home is either done by the women of the family, or organised by them through domestic helpers, while men are expected to work outside and earn money. This division is not based on biology but on social expectations and stereotypes, and it often results in women's work being undervalued and invisible.

Why is women's representation low in Indian legislatures?

Despite being nearly half of the population, women's representation in the Lok Sabha has rarely crossed 15%. This is due to patriarchal social structures, lack of support from political parties in giving tickets to women, and the double burden of domestic responsibilities which makes it harder for women to pursue full-time political careers.

What has been the impact of reservations for women in local bodies?

The reservation of one-third of seats in Panchayats and Municipalities has brought more than 10 lakh elected women representatives into local government. This has increased women's visibility in public life, improved their decision-making skills, and often led to a greater focus on issues like water, health, and education in local planning.

How can active learning help students understand gender and politics?

A 'Gender Audit' of the school's leadership (student council, staff, etc.) is a powerful active strategy. Students collect data and present it, followed by a discussion on why certain patterns exist. This hands-on analysis makes the abstract concept of 'representation' immediate and personal, encouraging them to think about fairness in their own environment.

Browse curriculum by country

• Americas
• US
• CA
• MX
• CL
• CO
• BR

• Europe
• UK
• IE
• FR
• DE
• ES
• IT
• NL
• PT
• SE

• Asia & Pacific
• IN
• SG
• AU