Women's Movement in India

Study Notes

Women's status has been low for centuries, with no documented historical record explaining the reasons for this secondary position in society.
Indian women inherited a complex social and cultural pattern shaping their perceived low status in the 19th century.
Perceived indicators of low status, such as purdah, sati, female infanticide, child marriage, and enforced widowhood, became rallying points for social reformers.
Social reformers, organized associations, and journals played a role in raising awareness of women's issues starting in the 19th century.
The movement aimed to broadly improve Indian women's status and roles, advocating for their rights, equality, and participation in society.
The women's movement in India encompasses diverse forms and has impacted different parts of the country.
The movement faces challenges of potential regression and societal backlash to any progress made.
Women's movements are recognized as important crusades of modern social movements.
Women's movements have taken numerous forms—from suffrage campaigns to grassroots actions.

Women's movements often reflect aspirations and opportunities unique to middle-class women of a given era.
Some movements focused on legal equality, others on challenging cultural norms.
Women's groups vary in size and focus; some have a broad appeal while others focus on particular issues or subgroups.

Women's movements have a long history in India, predating contemporary movements.
Religious and cultural traditions like Shakti (female power) have influenced views about women in the past.
Women's movements evolved through different stages, and shifts in goals and approaches occurred over time.
These changes are influenced by factors such as local, national, and international levels.

The diverse goals and structures of women's movements reflect the different needs and experiences of women within Indian society.
Women's movements are characterized by objectives like equality, liberation, and challenges to cultural practices.

Early movements addressed social reforms within the freedom struggle.
A phase from 1947 to 1975 that focused on further action and improvements in women's status.
A more recent phase focusing on women's movement as a whole, starting in the 1970s and onward.