The inequalities that exist in the UK and also the role of education in promoting social justices in the lens of women studies.

 

Education is very essential and powerful tool for fostering social justice and empowering women in the societies. It is essential for eliminating gender stereotypes, giving women economic and political power, developing leadership qualities, and ending the discrimination. Education has historically served as a place of exclusion as well as a means of emancipation. Since knowledge has the ability to change the dynamics of privilege and power, women and other marginalized groups have battled relentlessly for access to educational institutions. The late 20th century saw the establishment of women's studies as a separate academic field, which was a major turning point in this fight. It served as a key framework for analyzing how gender, racism, class, sexual orientation, and other aspects of identity overlap, in addition to acknowledging the experiences and contributions of women. In the UK or any part of the world gender inequality is the biggest concern, there are differences in economic, health and education. Gender Pay Gap: Despite efforts to address the gender pay gap, women continue to earn less than men. Part-time work habits, overrepresentation of women in some industries, and indirect discrimination all contribute to the gender gap. Health Services: Issues concerning women's health, particularly reproductive health, are commonly overlooked in healthcare legislation and research. Underrepresentation: While there have been improvements, women are still underrepresented in political positions, including Parliament and local government, affecting the prioritization of issues that are crucial to women. Especially when viewed through the perspective of women's studies, these differences can be shorted through education, education's role in advancing social justice is a complex and multifaceted undertaking. Education is a vital tool for bringing about social change in addition to providing the groundwork for intellectual and psychological growth. Institutions can play a critical role in promoting gender equity, breaking down institutional inequities, and enabling people to speak out for social justice by incorporating women's studies within the curriculum. In societies discrimination and injustice are present at different level, whether it is social background, economical background or political etc. But in the case of women it happens at another level and to make social justice accessible to all, there are some following ways:-

Access to High-Quality Education: Promoting social justice requires guaranteeing that everyone, regardless of financial status, race, ethnicity, gender, or other traits, has equal access to high-quality education. Individuals should be able to fulfil their potential and make a positive contribution to society through affordable, inclusive, and discrimination-free education. Societies can work towards greater justice by eliminating obstacles to education, such as poverty, discrimination, and cultural and gender biases. That is why in most of the countries educational rights has been given to all, in India RTE was implemented in 2009 for making education accessible for all.

Awareness and Understanding: Fundamentally, education acts as a stimulant for awareness and understanding. In the field of women's studies, instruction introduces students to the complexity of privilege, intersectionality, and discrimination based on gender. Students acquire understanding of the historical, cultural, and institutional factors influencing gender dynamics through feminist theories and critical analyses. By fostering empathy, eliminating prejudices, and building a feeling of community among students, this understanding paves the way for social justice.

Critical thinking: Education promotes critical evaluation of power systems and social hierarchies that perpetuate inequity. Women's studies material examines patriarchal institutions, heteronormativity, and other types of gender-based oppression. By deconstructing prevailing myths and exposing underlying power relations, education reveals the basic causes of social injustice. This critical approach develops a sense of community responsibility for challenging and dismantling oppressive structures, resulting in a more inclusive and equitable society.

Empowering women: Individuals gets empowered through education because it provides them with the knowledge and skills they need to challenge society conventions and influence change. Women's studies curricula enable marginalized voices to be heard, validated, and amplified. By learning various narratives and experiences, students develop control over their own tales and identities. This empowerment empowers people to fight injustice, lobby for legislative changes, and work towards gender equality in their communities and beyond.

Reforming Education system: Education systems must change if social justice and equity are to be promoted. This include selecting and preparing instructors from a variety of backgrounds, culturally appropriate courses, and the acknowledgment and integration of varied perspectives. Education policies should also empower marginalized students, combat systemic injustices, and distribute resources fairly.

Encouraging Advocacy and Activism: Education enables people to take up the cause of social justice and become activists. Women's studies courses frequently include activism, community service, and doable tactics for bringing about change. Education puts information into practice by promoting discussion, teamwork, and grassroots organizing. Students are urged to use their platforms, resources, and power to support legislative changes and provide voice to underrepresented groups. Engaging in lobbying and action not only brings about personal transformation but also serves as a catalyst for larger social movements advocating for gender equity.

Opportunities and obstacles: In the context of women's studies, education faces opportunities as well as obstacles in advancing social justice, despite its transformative potential. Attempts to incorporate inclusive curricula and establish inclusive learning environments may be thwarted by institutional resistance, a lack of resources, and ingrained prejudices. But these difficulties also offer chances for creativity, teamwork, and grassroots organizing. Education has the power to break down barriers and further social justice objectives by utilizing technology, community partnerships, and interdisciplinary approaches.

In lens of women's studies, education is crucial to the advancement of social justice. Through the promotion of critical consciousness, activism, empowerment, awareness, and intersectionality, education can act as a catalyst for significant change. We must continue to invest in education that questions norms, gives voice to the voiceless, and topples oppressive systems if we are to achieve gender equality and inclusive society. We can create a more fair and equal world for everybody by educating people.

References:-

Phipps C. (2021) Why we should still be concerned about gender inequality in the UK, https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/socialbusinesshub/2021/11/15/why-we-should-still-be-concerned-about-gender-inequality-in-the-uk/.

GOI (2021) Right to Education, Department of school and literacy, https://dsel.education.gov.in/rte.