Empowering India: Evolution of Women’s Movement in India

Women’s movements in India have played a pivotal role in shaping the socio-political landscape, challenging ingrained norms, and advocating for the rights and empowerment of women. From the early 20th century to the present day, these movements have evolved in response to diverse challenges, encompassing issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, violence against women, and economic empowerment. 

Empowering Change: Rise of Women’s Movement in India

• Seeds of Change: In the early 20th century, following the 19th-century social reform movements, the growth of women’s organisations at both national and local levels was witnessed. 
  • Notable organisations like the Women’s India Association (WIA) (1917), the All India Women’s Conference (AIWC) (1926), and the National Council for Women in India (NCWI) (1925) emerged during this period. 
• Evolving Perspectives: Initially, many of these organisations had a limited focus.
  • Example: AIWC initially perceived ‘women’s welfare’ and ‘politics’ as mutually exclusive. 
  • However, over time, their scope expanded, recognising the interconnectedness of women’s welfare and national freedom.
  • It was reflected in a later presidential address that emphasised the intrinsic link between national freedom and broader reforms.

• Contours of Change: While there’s debate on whether this period of activity constituted a social movement.
  • key features of social movements like organisations, ideology, leadership, shared understanding, and the aim of instigating changes on public issues were evident. 
• Breaking Barriers: Collectively, these organisations succeeded in creating an environment where women’s issues could no longer be overlooked, marking a significant stride in raising awareness and fostering discourse on women’s rights and welfare.

Women’s Participation in Agrarian Struggles and Revolts: Women in Agrarian Movements

• Beyond Classrooms: Contrary to the notion that only educated middle-class women are involved in social movements, history showcases women’s active participation in agrarian struggles and revolts alongside men, especially in tribal and rural areas during the colonial period. 
  • Notable movements include the Tebhaga movement in Bengal, the Telangana armed struggle, and the Warli tribal revolt in Maharashtra.

Post-1947 Evolution of women’s movement in india:

• Post-Independence Realities: Post-independence, the active women’s movement in india seemed to diminish, with many women engaging in nation-building tasks while others were impacted by the trauma of partition. 
• The Second Phase of the women’s movement in india: However, the mid-1970s witnessed a rejuvenation of the women’s movement in India, often termed its second phase. 
  • This phase brought about organisational and ideological shifts, focusing on newer issues like violence against women. 
• Catalysts for Change: Campaigns during this period led to significant legal and societal changes.
  • Such as the inclusion of both parents’ names in school forms and addressing issues like land rights, employment, sexual harassment, and dowry.

Women’s Movement

Striving for Equality: Toward a Just Society

• Recognizing Diverse Struggles: The movement also acknowledged the varied levels and types of discrimination faced by women from different social strata and the distinct concerns of.
  • Example: Peasant women compared to middle-class women or Dalit women compared to ‘upper caste’ women. 
• Breaking Chains Together: A broader understanding emerged that both men and women are restrained by dominant gender identities, pointing towards the need for a gender-just society. 
  • Such a society, enriched by educated women playing multiple roles and improved sex ratio, allows true freedom for both genders. 
• Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Yojana: The Government of India’s initiative, Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Yojana, is seen as a significant step towards the actualization of a gender-just society, reflecting a collective aspiration to end injustices and create an equitable societal framework.

The Upper Caste Response to The Women’s Movement in India: Upper Caste Perspectives and Social Progress

Upper Caste Discontent: Exploring Upper Caste Grievances

• The Rising Visibility: The growing prominence of Dalits and other backward classes have sparked a sentiment among some upper-caste groups about being overlooked.
• Perceived Neglect: They feel the government is neglecting them due to their lesser numerical strength.
• Interrogating Perceptions: Sociologists must acknowledge the existence of such feelings and then scrutinize the extent to which these impressions are based on empirical facts.

Post-Independence Social Progress: Examining Caste Disparities

• Recognizing Progress: There’s an acknowledgement of improved conditions for all social groups, including the lowest castes and tribes, since independence.
• Assessing Disparities: However, the magnitude of this improvement, especially in comparison to other population segments, is called into question.
• Occupational Disparities
  • The early 21st century witnessed a broader spectrum of occupations and professions across all caste groups.
  • Yet a significant social reality persists: upper castes predominantly occupy high-prestige occupations, while lower castes largely remain in menial, less respected jobs.

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