[mcq] In a democracy, women are granted equal legal rights, yet gender discrimination persists in many househ…

Question

[mcq] In a democracy, women are granted equal legal rights, yet gender discrimination persists in many households and workplaces. What does this gap between legal recognition and social reality BEST tell us about democracy?
Options:
(A) Democracy has failed because laws alone cannot change society overnight.
(B) Legal equality is meaningless unless backed by economic equality.
(C) Recognising equal dignity in law creates a moral and legal basis for women to challenge discrimination over time.
(D) Democracy and social equality are unrelated goals.

Accepted Answer

## Model Answer **Answer: (B)** It gives women a legal and moral basis from which to challenge discrimination. Legal recognition in democracy means discrimination becomes "unacceptable legally and morally," empowering women to wage struggles against it over time. *Source: Dignity and freedom of the citizens, Chapter 5* --- ## Explanation The passage states: *"once the principle is recognised, it becomes easier for women to wage a struggle against what is now unacceptable legally and morally."* This directly matches option (B). The key idea is that democracy **creates conditions** (legal/moral basis) for change — it doesn't guarantee instant equality, but it provides the platform for women to challenge discrimination. Avoid option (A) which says recognition "automatically ensures equal treatment" — the passage explicitly says women are **not** always treated with respect despite the principle being recognised.

Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question