UGC NET/JRF EXAM, September-2024 WOMEN’S STUDIES

Joseph Schumpeter, an Austrian-American economist, defined entrepreneurship from an economic perspective.

According to him, an entrepreneur is someone who perceives new economic opportunities and introduces innovations-new combinations of existing resources.

He highlighted the role of entrepreneurs in "creative destruction", which is the process of transforming old industries and creating new ones through innovation.

This includes introducing new products, production methods, markets, and organizational forms

Correct matching of communication/media types with their definitions:

A. Mass Media - II. A communication used to reach out to masses: Mass media includes television, newspapers, radio, and internet platforms used for largescale public communication.

B. Synchronous Media - I. A communication medium that requires both parties: This involves real-time interaction, such as video calls, live chats, or classroom teaching, where sender and receiver communicate simultaneously.

C. Asynchronous Media - IV. A communication of information that can be accessed at any time: Involves non-real-time communication, such as emails, recorded lectures, discussion boards, etc., which do not require both parties to be present simultaneously.

D. Alternative Media - III. A communication that reaches out to political and social minorities: Alternative media include community radio, street theatre, independent publications that amplify voices excluded from mainstream media narratives.

According to Bowles and Klein, Women's Studies is not merely an academic subject but a radical intellectual movement.

It questions traditional structures of knowledge production, which have historically marginalized women's experiences and contributions.

Women's Studies challenges the maledominated, patriarchal nature of academia, promoting feminist pedagogy and intersectional analysis.

Its goal is to transform how knowledge is produced, validated, and disseminated, making space for diverse gendered experiences.

Correct chronological order of international efforts addressing women's issues and violence against women:

C. CEDAW - 1979: The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, adopted by the UN General Assembly, is often described as the international bill of rights for women.

D. Vienna Declaration - 1993: Issued at the World Conference on Human Rights, it declared women's rights as human rights, emphasizing global responsibility in eliminating violence against women.

B. Beijing Platform for Action (BPFA) - 1995: A comprehensive policy framework for gender equality, launched at the Fourth World Conference on Women. It identified 12 critical areas of concern.

A. Sustainable Development Goals - 2015: Goal 5 of the SDGs specifically aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls, promoting legal rights, equal access, and protection from violence.

Neo-classical economists explain gender wage gaps using individual choices and productivityrelated factors:

A. Women's prioritization of family over market work: Neo-classical theories argue that women often choose to invest less in their careers or take breaks for caregiving, which reduces their market earnings.

D. Men's choices in higher paying occupations: It is assumed men choose occupations with higher returns, often involving more risk or longer hours, thereby explaining wage differentials.

(B) and (C) involve structural or educational inequalities, which are better explained by sociological or feminist economic theories, not strictly by neo-classical economics, which assumes rational choice and equal opportunity.

Correct matching of Artists and Art Forms:

A. Zaveri Sisters - IV. Manipuri: The Zaveri Sisters (Rita and Kamalini Zaveri) are well-known exponents of Manipuri dance, a classical dance form originating from Manipur, characterized by graceful movements and devotional themes.

B. Leela Samson - I. Bharatanatyam: Leela Samson is a celebrated Bharatanatyam dancer, teacher, and choreographer. She was also the former Director of Kalakshetra and Chairperson of the Sangeet Natak Akademi.

C. Sonal Mansingh II. Odissi: Renowned for her performances in Odissi and also trained in Bharatanatyam, Sonal Mansingh is a Padma Vibhushan awardee and has significantly contributed to classical Indian dance.

D. Geeta Poduwal - III. Kathakali: Geeta Poduwal is associated with Kathakali, a highly stylized classical dance-drama from Kerala known for elaborate costumes and storytelling through facial expressions and gestures.

Correct matching of Five-Year Plans and Women-Centric Themes:

A. Sixth Five-Year Plan (1980-85) - IV. Welfare to Development Approach: This plan marked a shift in policy from treating women as welfare recipients to development participants, recognizing their role in economic planning.

B. Ninth Five-Year Plan (1997–2002) - I. Women's Development to Empowerment of Women: This plan is significant for introducing the idea of empowerment over mere development and for incorporating gender budgeting as a tool.

C. Eleventh Five-Year Plan (2007-2012) - II. Gender Equity and Gender Budgeting: It emphasized inclusive growth with gender equity and institutionalized gender budgeting across ministries.

D. First Five-Year Plan (1951-56) - III. Welfare of Women along with welfare of disadvantaged groups: Focused on social welfare programs for women and children, with emphasis on health, education, and nutrition.

Naila Kabeer, a development economist and feminist scholar, authored the book "Money Can't Buy Me Love".

In this work, she explores the gender dynamics of labour, empowerment, and development, especially in the context of Bangladesh's garment industry.

Her research focuses on how economic participation impacts women's autonomy and challenges gendered social norms.

Kabeer is widely known for integrating qualitative and quantitative methods in studying women's empowerment and social policy.

Over time, the approach to dealing with human trafficking has evolved across various dimensions:

A. From a social problem to a legal issue: Initially seen as a moral and social concern, trafficking later became recognized as a criminal offense requiring strong legal action.

B. From a legal issue to an economic concern: Trafficking is now seen in economic terms, linked to forced labor, exploitation, and informal employment markets.

C. From a legal problem to a social issue with a focus on victim protection: There is increasing emphasis on rehabilitating victims through counseling, shelter, and reintegration rather than mere legal prosecution.

D. From a criminal justice issue to an environmental problem: Though least prominent, trafficking also has environmental links-migration due to climate change increases vulnerability to trafficking. Thus, all four statements reflect real dimensions of how trafficking discourse has shifted.

If women receive appropriate and timely training, they are better positioned to access and compete in the job market, both in present and future.

This includes skills in STEM, digital literacy, vocational education, and soft skills, aligning with current market needs.

Empowering women through training helps bridge the gender gap in employment, improves their economic independence, and contributes to inclusive development.

According to ILO data, skill-based training increases women's labour force participation and reduces unemployment and underemployment rates.