Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
In the last fifty years, the idea of women empowerment has gone through a sea change, from a welfare-oriented approach to an equity approach. It has been understood as the process by which the powerless gain greater control over the circumstances of their lives. In practice, however, empowerment includes control over both resources and ideology. It leads to a growing intrinsic capability, greater self-confidence and an inner transformation of one’s consciousness that enables one to overcome external barriers. This view stresses two significant aspects. First, it is a power to achieve desired goals, not a power over others. Secondly, the idea of empowerment applies more to those who are powerless, irrespective of their gender, class and caste. Though the concept of empowerment is not specific to women, it is unique in that it cuts across all classes and castes and also works within families and households. Women empowerment is also defined as a change in the context of a woman’s life which increases her capacity to lead a fulfilling human life. It is reflected both in external qualities such as health, mobility, education, awareness, status in the family, participation in decision making and material security, and in internal qualities such as self-awareness and self-confidence.
According to the passage, the idea of empowerment applies more to
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → those who lack power, whatever their gender, class or caste
The passage states that the idea of empowerment “applies more to those who are powerless, irrespective of their gender, class and caste”.
- Irrespective of means without caring about.
- So any powerless person is meant. It does not matter if the person is a man or a woman, rich or poor, or of any caste.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: women alone, since the idea was first developed for them — Incorrect. Contradicted: The passage says the concept “is not specific to women”.
Option 3: people of the lower castes who face unfair treatment in public life — Incorrect. Too narrow: Caste is only one of the three things named. The idea applies to all powerless people, whatever their caste.
Option 4: members of families and households rather than of society — Incorrect. Misread: The passage says empowerment “also works within families and households”. The word “also” shows that it works in society too.