Introduction

This information is about gender discrimination and its impact on individuals. It explains that discrimination based on gender leads to inequality and more discrimination. It mentions that discrimination can also be positive, such as reservations for women in education. The unit covers basic concepts, different definitions and forms of gender discrimination, and the legal measures in place to protect women's rights. The unit includes activities for reader engagement and ends with a glossary and self-assessment questions. Students, now let us come to the introductory portion. As part of the master's program in Women's Studies, this particular course charts into the phenomenon of gender discrimination. Any kind of differential treatment that is meted out to the individuals due to their gender and has adverse impact on such individuals can be labeled as gender discrimination. Discrimination based on gender results in gender inequality and this in turn contributes to more discriminatory practices. It is important to point out here that in certain scenarios, discrimination can be positive. For example, reservations for women in educational institutions which is called as positive discrimination or popularly known as affirmative action. Historically, the word discrimination has carried a negative connotation and is widely used in the context of gender and sex. Gender based discrimination is a complex phenomenon that stems from multiple sources and has vast ramifications. Hence, it is imperative to discuss about the concept of gender based discrimination, understand its forms and how it manifests and the legal measures that are enacted to protect the rights of women. The present unit on gender based discrimination brings together various nuances associated with the phenomenon. The unit begins with basic concepts like sex, gender, sexuality, etc. and moves on to perspectives that theorizes gender based discrimination. The unit then discusses the various definitions of gender based discrimination, forms and the impact of gender based discrimination. The unit ends with a section on the important acts, policies, reforms, etc. that have been established to prevent gender based discrimination and promote the rights of population groups that are marginalized due to their gender. The unit is interspersed with activities that check the reader's progress throughout the unit to enrich their engagement with the chapter. The unit ends with a glossary of keywords and video questions that the readers can answer for self-assessment of their understanding of the entire content. Thank you.