New
New
Year 11
AQA

Different religious views about the status of women in religion

I can explain how gender inequality impacts individuals and describe Christian and non-religious responses to it.

New
New
Year 11
AQA

Different religious views about the status of women in religion

I can explain how gender inequality impacts individuals and describe Christian and non-religious responses to it.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Gender inequality has deep roots, though laws like the Equal Pay Act aimed to improve fairness.
  2. Despite legal progress, gender bias continues through stereotypes, subtle discrimination and unequal systems.
  3. Humanists promote equality through reason, fairness and human rights.
  4. Some Christians use the Bible to support traditional roles; others see it as a call to equality.
  5. Feminist theologians say Christianity must be reformed or replaced to reflect women’s dignity.

Keywords

  • Discrimination - actions that come from prejudiced attitudes

  • Gender equality - the idea that people of all genders should have the same rights, responsibilities and opportunities in all areas of life

  • Microaggression - a subtle comment or action that reinforces a stereotype or causes offence, often unintentionally

  • Sexism - unfair treatment or attitudes towards someone because of their gender, usually based on the belief that one gender is better than another

Common misconception

All Christians believe that men and women should have different roles because the Bible says so.

Not all Christians agree. Some interpret Bible verses as cultural and support full gender equality, including leadership roles for women. Others, like the Catholic Church, believe men and women are equal in dignity, but have different roles.


To help you plan your year 11 religious education lesson on: Different religious views about the status of women in religion, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Try setting up a debate centred around the evaluation statement "Gender inequality is still an issue in today's society".
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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5 Questions

Q1.
Prejudice is a opinion about someone not based on reason or experience.
Correct Answer: preconceived, Preconceived
Q2.
Which Christian denomination in the UK allows blessings for same-sex couples?
Roman Catholic Church
Correct answer: Church of England
Eastern Orthodox Church
Q3.
Even where same-sex acts are considered sinful, individuals with same-sex sexuality are not seen as sinful and should be treated with .
Correct Answer: compassion, Compassion
Q4.
When did same-sex marriage become legal in England and Wales?
2004
2011
Correct answer: 2014
Q5.
Humanists advocate for equal treatment of all individuals based on and fairness.
Correct Answer: reason, Reason

Assessment exit quiz

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5 Questions

Q1.
Match each term to its correct meaning:
Correct Answer:Discrimination,are actions that come from prejudice attitudes

are actions that come from prejudice attitudes

Correct Answer:Microaggression,are comments or actions, reinforcing stereotypes, causing offence

are comments or actions, reinforcing stereotypes, causing offence

Correct Answer:Sexism,is unfair treatment towards someone because of their gender

is unfair treatment towards someone because of their gender

Q2.
The Equal Pay Act was introduced to promote fairness in .
Correct Answer: pay, Pay
Q3.
Why do Humanists promote equality?
To maintain societies values
Correct answer: Because all people are important
For gaining financial benefits
Q4.
Which verse has often been used to justify traditional gender roles in Christianity?
Leviticus 11:7
John 3:16
Correct answer: Ephesians 5:22
Q5.
How do some Christians justify leadership roles for women?
By rejecting all Church teachings
Correct answer: By arguing Bible verses were cultural for their time
By ignoring certain verses in the Bible