Course Glossary

Gender is the socio-cultural construction of men and women in society. It refers to the socially constructed roles, behaviors, and identities of individuals within a society that is often categorized as masculine, feminine, or non-binary. Gender shapes individuals, and social groups and impacts behaviours and other aspects of life including career choices, health behaviors, and participation in social activities.

The modern nation has often been imagined through National Identity gendered metaphors, particularly of the female body. The many faces of ‘mother’ are manifested in motherland, mother tongue, motherhood, and have proven to be particularly powerful symbols. As per this interlinkage between the nation and its inhabitants, women as gendered being are frequently idealized as the “soul” or “spiritual core” of the nation, tasked with preserving its culture, traditions, and moral values. This image is evident in various nationalist movements, where women are expected to uphold cultural practices such as language, dress, and family rituals (Yuval-Davis, 1997).

Globalization has transformed the ways nations and states operate, creating new challenges and opportunities for gender equality. For example, women’s labour is increasingly exploited in the global economy, with many women working in low-paid jobs in factories or as domestic workers. At the same time, feminist movements are using global networks to advocate for women’s rights, showing how globalization can both empower and oppress women. Under the pressures of globalization, Indian women have become both beneficiaries and casualties of economic transformation. While the growth of export-oriented industries like garment manufacturing has created employment opportunities for women, with over 12 million now working in India's textile sector, these jobs often involve precarious working conditions, informality, and suppressed wages (Mehrotra & Biggeri, 2007).

A traditional offering or fee given by a student to their teacher at the end of education, symbolizing respect and gratitude often also a free gift demanded by Brahmins.