Answer:

Mahatma Gandhi’s vision for women’s rights was a fusion of traditional virtues like self-sacrifice, and moral purity with modern mobilisation for political activism and social change. He believed women could play a vital role in the Indian nationalist movement, not just by embracing domestic responsibilities, but also by participating actively in political protests and civil disobedience. His views significantly impacted the role of women in India’s freedom struggle and their rights post-independence.

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Blend of Traditional Virtues and Modern Mobilisation

• Moral Strength and Virtue: Gandhi emphasised that women’s strength lay in their moral purity and virtue. He believed they were natural upholders of compassion and truth, making them ideal for the Satyagraha movement.
  For instance: Gandhi often referenced Sita and Draupadi as exemplars of courage and moral strength in his speeches to motivate women’s participation.
• Women as Agents of Non-Violence: Gandhi saw women’s inherent non-violence as essential to the Satyagraha movement, advocating for their peaceful resistance against colonial oppression.
  For example: During the Quit India Movement, women like Aruna Asaf Ali led peaceful protests and faced imprisonment, embodying Gandhi’s ideals.
• Critique of Patriarchy: Gandhi’s vision subtly challenged patriarchal norms, arguing that women should not be confined to subservient roles but must assert their agency in public life.
  For example: He criticised the purdah system and child marriage, advocating for women’s right to education and equality.
• Participation in Political Movements: Gandhi encouraged women’s active participation in political movements, advocating that their role in the nationalist struggle should extend beyond domestic spheres.
  For example: Women played a key role in the Salt March of 1930, with Sarojini Naidu leading the protests against the Dharasana Salt Works.
• Role of Women in Prohibition: Gandhi mobilised women for social causes like the prohibition of liquor, seeing them as the custodians of morality in society.
  For example: Women actively participated in picketing liquor shops as part of Gandhi’s call for prohibition during the Non-Cooperation Movement.
• Promotion of Education: Gandhi believed that education was essential for women’s empowerment, emphasising the need for it to align with their traditional roles. He advocated for an approach that would not only prepare women to be effective homemakers but also encourage their active participation in society.
  For example: Gandhi’s emphasis on basic education for women aimed to empower them through literacy and skills useful for their families and the nation.
• Women’s Self-Reliance through the Charkha: The use of the charkha (spinning wheel) symbolised women’s economic independence and contribution to the Swadeshi movement, while maintaining their traditional roles.
  For example: Gandhi encouraged women to spin khadi as a means of contributing to the economic boycott of British goods.

Influence of This Duality on Women’s Roles in the Nationalist Movement

• Mass Mobilisation of Women: Gandhi’s approach led to the mass mobilisation of women in the nationalist movement, integrating them into political activities.
  For example: The Civil Disobedience Movement saw women  leading protests and organising grassroots activities.
• Leadership in Political Actions: Women assumed leadership roles in Gandhi’s campaigns, gaining political confidence and visibility in the nationalist struggle.
  For example: Sarojini Naidu became the first Indian woman to preside over the Indian National Congress in 1925.
• Blending of Domestic and Public Roles: Gandhi’s vision allowed women to blend their traditional roles as homemakers with their public roles as activists, empowering them to balance both spheres.
  For example: Women like Kamladevi Chattopadhyay led Khadi movements while advocating for women’s rights.
• Involvement in Social Reforms: Gandhi encouraged women to take part in social reforms, addressing issues such as untouchability and women’s rights.
  For example: Rajkumari Amrit Kaur was actively involved in sanitation campaigns and the upliftment of Harijans.
• Courage in Facing Repression: Gandhi’s non-violent strategy empowered women to face British repression with courage, giving them a prominent role in public resistance.
  For example: Usha Mehta, a young activist, ran an underground radio station during the Quit India Movement, inspiring many with her bravery.
• Encouragement of Women’s Voices: Gandhi’s emphasis on women’s participation gave them a platform to express their concerns and aspirations, leading to the rise of women’s organisations.
  For instance: The All India Women’s Conference (AIWC) was founded to address women’s educational and social needs, inspired by Gandhi’s vision.
• Resistance to Cultural Oppression: Gandhi’s vision empowered women to challenge cultural oppression, including child marriage and dowry practices, while maintaining moral virtues.
  For example: Durgabai Deshmukh emerged as a leader for women’s rights and worked towards legal reforms, including advocating against the dowry system.

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Gandhi’s vision for women’s rights was a transformative blend of traditional virtues and modern activism, which significantly altered women’s roles in India’s nationalist movement. By encouraging mass participation, instilling moral values, and promoting political leadership, Gandhi laid the foundation for women’s empowerment in India. His approach, though rooted in tradition, facilitated the progressive mobilisation of women, influencing both social reforms and nationalist politics.

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