2021年2月、当時東京オリンピック（五輪）・パラリンピック大会組織委員会の会長で元首相の森喜朗氏が「女性がたくさん入っている理事会の会議は時間がかかります」と発言し、国内外で批判され、会長を辞任しました。未だ日本社会に根強く残る女性差別、女性蔑視問題について、あなたはどう考えますか？以下の記事を読んで考えてみましょう。(7-14paragraphsだけ読みなさい)

1.activism (a) to get control or influence

2.prevail (b) relating to the structure of populations

3.bias (c)the use of direct action to achieve a result, usually a political or social one

4.entrench (d) formal a serious promise or agreement

5.plummet (e) fall or drop straight down at high speed

6.demographic (f) an inclination of temperament or outlook

7.pledge to~ (g) to do several things at the same time

8.juggle (h) establish so firmly that change is very difficult or unlikely

Reading Page:

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210405-why-japan-cant-shake-sexism

(1) What is one of the key factors that Japan isn’t making progress on gender equality?

(a) Lack of adequate health insurance 

(b) Some people still believe in traditional gender roles.

(c) Government structure 

(d) None of the above

(2) After WWII, what kind of women were encouraged by the government?

(a) Women who worked outside home 

(b) Women who had children 

(c) Women who stayed at home, helped husbands, and took care of children.

(d) None of the above 

(3) According to the national survey held in 2020, which one is correct? 

(a) In Japan, men who take childcare leave were increasing, and many women can lead to promotions. 

(b) After giving birth, many women still have to give up their careers. 

(c) Some companies have improved the working environment for women. 

(d) Few women feel the social pressures of staying at home to take care of their husbands and children.  

(4) What does the author say about “Womenomics” introduced by then prime minister Shinzo Abe in 2015? 

(a) Thanks to the policy, the number of female leaders was increasing without problems. 

(b) It encouraged women to help men or husbands more than ever. 

(c) It encouraged women back to the workplace, but there are still unresolved issues surrounding women. 

(d) Abe considered that policy to have been a success.

(5) Which one is correct about the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2021? 

(a) In terms of gender equality, Japan ranked in the bottom 30%.  

(b) Compared to its ranking in 2006, Japan moved up the rank. 

(c) Japan occupied the top spot.   

(d) None of the above  

Give yourself time to think

今回は、意見を求められて何て言って良いかわからない時、すこし考える時間をとるためのフレーズ練習をします。

Readingでは、女性蔑視について考えましたが、女性に対する偏見とは、Readingで出てきたこと以外でどういうものが挙げられるでしょうか。 自分なりの考えを言ってみましょう。

(1) 日本語で意見を言ってみよう。

(2) 英語で意見をいいあってみよう。その際、一度下記の会話例のように、一旦躊躇してからこたえるようにしてみてください。