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.
Which of the following best describes the passage?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → An explanation of what empowerment means and how it shows in a woman’s life
The passage first tells how the idea of empowerment has changed.
- Then it explains what empowerment means. It is the process by which the powerless “gain greater control” over their lives.
- At the end it says how empowerment “is reflected” in a woman’s life, in external and internal qualities. Is reflected means shows itself.
- So the passage explains the meaning of empowerment and its signs in a woman’s life.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: An account of the struggles of women’s movements over fifty years — Incorrect. Wrong focus: The words “fifty years” come only in the first line. The passage says nothing about the struggles of women’s movements.
Option 3: An argument that empowerment should be given only to women of the lower classes — Incorrect. Contradicted: The passage says the idea applies to the powerless “irrespective of their gender, class and caste”.
Option 4: A criticism of welfare schemes that failed to help powerless women — Incorrect. Not mentioned: The passage names the welfare-oriented approach only as the old idea. It does not say that any scheme failed.