CBSE Class 7 Social Science Chapter 5: Women Change The World NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 7 PDF

CBSE Class 7 Social Science Chapter 5, "Women Change The World," explores the profound impact women have had on society, highlighting their achievements and the obstacles they've overcome. The chapter examines how traditional stereotypes have limited women's access to education and careers, and how figures like Rashsundari Devi, Ramabai, and Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain used education as a tool for empowerment and advocacy. It details the strategies employed by the women's movement, including protests and campaigns, to combat discrimination and strive for equality. The text also addresses the often-overlooked realities of women in agriculture, their struggles with poverty, and the societal biases that contribute to girls leaving school. These insights are crucial for understanding the ongoing fight for gender equality and women's empowerment.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 7
Subject	Social Science
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	Chapter 5 – Women Change The World

Chapter summary

Chapter 5, "Women Change The World," focuses on the historical and ongoing efforts of women to achieve equality and recognition. The NCERT Solutions cover the impact of stereotypes on women's rights, the crucial role of education as seen through the lives of pioneering women, and the various strategies used by the women's movement to address issues like discrimination and violence. It also touches upon women's participation in work, particularly agriculture, and the societal barriers that hinder girls' education. The solutions aim to provide a clear understanding of these themes for Class 7 students.

Learning outcomes

Understand the impact of stereotypes on women's rights and equality.
Recognize the importance of education for women's empowerment, citing historical examples.
Identify and explain the methods used by the women's movement to advocate for change.
Analyze the reasons behind girls dropping out of school, especially from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Appreciate the contributions of women in various fields, including agriculture and technical roles.
Explain the purpose and significance of the women's movement.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Stereotypes about women
Women's right to equality
Importance of education for women
Pioneering women (Rashsundari Devi, Ramabai, Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain, Laxmi Lakra)
Women's Movement
Methods of struggle (Campaigning, Protesting)
Women in agriculture
Reasons for girls' school dropouts
Sexual harassment at the workplace
Domestic violence
Dowry laws
19th-century educational reforms

Important topics

Impact of stereotypes on women's equality
Role of education and literacy for women
Methods and achievements of the women's movement
Challenges faced by girls in continuing education
Contributions of key historical women figures

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

How do you think stereotypes, about what women can or cannot do, affect women's right to equality?

Solution: Stereotypes are fixed, often unfair, beliefs about particular groups of people. When applied to women, these stereotypes suggest they are inherently inferior or suited only for specific roles, such as domestic work, teaching, or nursing. These preconceived notions negatively impact women's right to equality by limiting their educational and career choices. For instance, the stereotype that women lack technical aptitude can prevent them from pursuing careers in science or engineering. This discrimination not only restricts individual potential but also contributes to gender pay gaps, where women may be paid less than men for similar work, thereby undermining their fundamental right to equal opportunity and treatment.

Question 2

List one reason why learning the alphabet was so important to women like Rashsundari Devi, Ramabai and Rokeya.

Solution: For women like Rashsundari Devi, Ramabai, and Rokeya, learning the alphabet was profoundly important because literacy opened up a world of expression and empowerment. Acquiring the ability to read and write allowed them to articulate their personal experiences, thoughts, and the injustices they faced. This literacy enabled them to write stories, letters, and autobiographies, which served as powerful tools to document their lives, challenge societal norms, and advocate for change, thereby giving voice to their own narratives and struggles.

Question 3

"Poor girls drop out of school because they are not interested in getting an education". Re- read the last paragraph on page 62 and explain why this statement is not true.

Solution: The statement that poor girls drop out of school due to a lack of interest in education is inaccurate. The reality, as highlighted in the text, is that these girls are often compelled to leave school for various practical reasons. These include the absence of proper schools in their rural or impoverished areas, a shortage of regular teachers, and the lack of schools within safe or convenient distances from their homes. When schools are not nearby and transportation is unavailable or unsafe, parents may be hesitant to send their daughters to school, making it a matter of necessity and circumstance rather than disinterest.

Question 4

Can you describe two methods of struggle that the women's movement used to raise issues? If you had to organise a struggle against stereotypes, about what women can or cannot do, what method would you employ from the ones that you have read about? Why would you choose this particular method?

Solution: The women's movement has employed several effective methods to raise awareness and advocate for change. Two prominent methods include:

Campaigning: This involves organized efforts to fight discrimination and violence against women. Campaigns have been instrumental in bringing about new laws, such as the 2006 law providing legal protection against domestic violence, and influencing judicial guidelines, like those formulated in 1997 to protect women from sexual harassment at the workplace. The movement also raised voices against dowry deaths, demanding justice and leading to changes in dowry laws.
Protesting: Public rallies, demonstrations, and street actions are powerful ways to draw attention to injustices faced by women. By taking their concerns to the streets and approaching courts, women's groups effectively highlight violations and demand immediate action and justice.

If organizing a struggle against stereotypes about women's capabilities, the most effective method would be raising public awareness through creative means like street plays, songs, and public meetings. This approach is chosen because while pressure tactics might yield temporary results, sustained awareness and skillful persuasion can lead to a more permanent shift in public perception and attitudes. By effectively convincing people and subtly influencing their thinking, this method aims to create a lasting change in how women's abilities are perceived and valued.

Question 1 (Very Short Answer Type)

What is the percentage of women engaged in agricultural work in our country?

Solution: In our country, approximately 83.6% of women are engaged in agricultural work, indicating their significant contribution to this sector.

Question 2 (Very Short Answer Type)

What does agricultural work mean to these women?

Solution: For women involved in agriculture, the term 'agricultural work' encompasses a range of essential tasks, including planting crops, weeding fields, harvesting the produce, and threshing grains.

Question 3 (Very Short Answer Type)

When we think of a farmer we only think of a man. Why?

Solution: The common perception of a farmer being exclusively male stems from the societal bias that overlooks or minimizes women's contributions to agriculture. While women perform many crucial tasks, the major portion of visible agricultural work and decision-making is often associated with men, leading to the stereotype that farming is primarily a man's occupation.

Question 4 (Very Short Answer Type)

Why was Ramabai given the title 'Pandita'?

Solution: Ramabai was honored with the title 'Pandita' because she possessed exceptional scholarly abilities, being proficient in reading and writing Sanskrit. This was a remarkable achievement, especially during a time when women were largely denied access to such advanced knowledge and formal education.

Question 5 (Very Short Answer Type)

How did women support men in the pottery trade?

Solution: In the pottery trade, women played a vital supporting role by undertaking the essential preliminary tasks. Their contributions included collecting the necessary mud and meticulously preparing the earth mixture, which formed the basic material for crafting pots.

Question 6 (Very Short Answer Type)

Mention any one stereotype about what women can or cannot do?

Solution: One prevalent stereotype is that while women might be suitable for nurturing roles like teaching, they are generally considered incapable of handling or excelling in technical or complex tasks.

Question 7 (Very Short Answer Type)

How did Laxmi Lakra break the stereotype that only men could be engine drivers?

Solution: Laxmi Lakra shattered the stereotype that engine driving was exclusively a male profession by becoming the first woman engine driver for Northern Railways. Her achievement demonstrated that women possess the capability and skill to perform such demanding technical roles.

Question 8 (Very Short Answer Type)

What changes came to be seen with the emergence of new ideas about education and learning in the 19th century?

Solution: With the rise of new ideas regarding education and learning during the 19th century, significant societal changes occurred. Schools became more widespread and accessible, and communities that had previously lacked literacy began to send their children to school, marking a gradual increase in educational opportunities.

Question 9 (Very Short Answer Type)

Who was Rashsundari Devi? What did she write in her autobiography?

Solution: Rashsundari Devi was a housewife from a prosperous landlord's family in West Bengal. In her autobiography, she candidly wrote about her everyday life experiences, offering a personal account of her domestic world and the challenges she faced.

Question 10 (Very Short Answer Type)

What did Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain do for the girls?

Solution: Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain made a significant contribution to girls' education by establishing a school for them in Kolkata. This institution continues to function and serve students even today.

Question 11 (Very Short Answer Type)

Mention any two reasons why many girls do not continue their education.

Solution: Two primary reasons why many girls are unable to continue their education are poverty, which limits financial resources for schooling, and societal discrimination, which may devalue girls' education or impose additional burdens on them.

Question 12 (Very Short Answer Type)

What is the purpose of conducting census every 10 years?

Solution: The purpose of conducting a census every 10 years is to systematically count the entire population of the country. It also serves to gather comprehensive data about the people living in India, including details such as their age, educational status, employment, and the nature of their work.

Question 13 (Very Short Answer Type)

What is meant by the Women's Movement?

Solution: The Women's Movement refers to the collective and sustained struggle undertaken by women, as a group, aiming for comprehensive improvements in their social, economic, and political condition. It encompasses various efforts and activism focused on achieving equality and empowerment for all women.

Common mistakes

Assuming girls drop out of school solely due to lack of interest rather than socio-economic factors.
Underestimating the role of women in agricultural work, often perceiving it as solely male-dominated.
Not recognizing the historical context of limited educational opportunities for women.
Confusing the methods of the women's movement with general activism without specific examples.

Revision tips

Focus on the key figures mentioned (Rashsundari Devi, Ramabai, Rokeya) and their contributions.
Understand the different methods of struggle used by the women's movement and their impact.
Analyze the reasons behind stereotypes and their effect on women's equality.
Review the statistics related to women in agriculture and the challenges they face.
Connect the historical context of education with contemporary issues of girls' schooling.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What percentage of women in India are engaged in agricultural work?

Q2. Which of the following was a method used by the women's movement to raise issues?

Q3. Why was Rashsundari Devi's ability to read and write significant?

Q4. What stereotype about women is mentioned in the chapter?

Q5. What was the primary reason given for poor girls dropping out of school?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of Chapter 5, 'Women Change The World'?

The chapter focuses on the significant roles women have played in changing society, challenging stereotypes, and fighting for their rights, highlighting their contributions and struggles for equality.

Why is education considered so important for women, as discussed in the chapter?

Education is crucial as it empowers women to understand their rights, express their experiences, challenge inequality, and gain independence, as exemplified by figures like Rashsundari Devi and Ramabai.

What are some methods used by the women's movement?

The women's movement uses methods like campaigning to fight discrimination and violence, and protesting through rallies and demonstrations to draw attention to injustices and demand change.

What challenges do girls from poor families face regarding education?

Girls from poor families often face challenges such as poverty, lack of accessible schools, inadequate transport facilities, and societal pressures, which can lead to them dropping out of school.

How do stereotypes affect women's rights?

Stereotypes, which are fixed ideas about what women can or cannot do, limit their opportunities and affect their right to equality by restricting them to certain roles and devaluing their capabilities in other fields.

What is the purpose of the census mentioned in the chapter?

The census, conducted every 10 years, aims to count the entire population of India and gather detailed information about people, including their age, schooling, and work.

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