This Article is written by Shubhojeet Manohar of 5th Semester of New Law College, Pune, an intern under Legal Vidhiya
Abstract:
This comprehensive article delves into the multifaceted landscape of feminism in India, tracing its historical context, examining key challenges faced by women, and exploring the milestones achieved through collective efforts. The narrative unfolds by addressing the historical context of feminism in India, encompassing both pre and post-independence eras, and the evolving ideologies within. The challenges faced by Indian women, from gender-based violence to limited representation in politics and the workforce, are highlighted. The complexities of Indian feminism are explored, considering the interplay of cultural, social, and political factors. The article further discusses the third wave of feminism, emphasizing its intersectional approach and impact on grassroots activism, legal reforms, and women’s participation in various sectors. Government initiatives aimed at women’s empowerment are also analyzed. The conclusion underscores the progress made by Indian feminism, while acknowledging the ongoing need for challenging patriarchal structures, embracing intersectionality, and fostering policy reforms to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment. Through its comprehensive exploration, the article offers insights into the diverse, evolving, and transformative journey of feminism in India.
Keywords:-
Feminism, India, historical context, challenges, gender-based violence, education, gender pay gap, political representation, grassroots activism, legal reforms, third wave, intersectionality, government initiatives, gender equality, women’s empowerment.
Introduction:
Feminism in India, like in many other parts of the world, is a complex and evolving movement that seeks to address gender inequalities and advocate for women’s rights. Rooted in historical struggles for independence and social justice, feminism in India has witnessed various waves, each shaping the narrative and objectives of the movement. The society is ever changing in nature as the requirements of people have changed in the course of time so as the thinking of numerous people has also changed in this period of time. This article delves into the multifaceted landscape of feminism in India, tracing its historical context, examining key challenges faced by women, and exploring the milestones achieved through collective efforts. . The Feminism in India played a vital part for the conformation of numerous Laws and regulations. This article deals with numerous ultramodern problems and the pretensions that is extemporized by the sexists and the movements to overcome the problems Furthermore, it highlights the role of government policies, women’s collectives, and grassroots activism in advancing gender equality. This comprehensive exploration aims to shed light on the ongoing journey of feminism in India and its potential to transform society for the better.
Historical Context of Feminism :
The origins of feminism in India can be traced back to the 19th and early 20th centuries when women began advocating for their rights and seeking participation in the struggle for independence. Influential figures like Sarojini Naidu, Annie Besant, and Kamini Roy played crucial roles in challenging traditional gender norms and advancing women’s rights. Despite the suffrage movement being intertwined with the broader anti-colonial struggle, women’s issues were often relegated to the background after India gained independence in 1947.
1.1 The First Wave of Feminism: Pre-Independence Era
During the pre-independence era, women’s activism predominantly focused on issues like education and social reform. Organizations like the All India Women’s Conference (AIWC), founded in 1927, provided a platform for women to advocate for their rights. Rukhmabai, a pioneering Indian physician, was a vocal advocate against child marriage and for women’s right to education and autonomy.
1.2 The Second Wave of Feminism: Post-Independence Era
The post-independence era saw a resurgence of feminist activism with a focus on legal reforms, reproductive rights, and gender equality. In the 1970s and 1980s, feminist literature, art, and media emerged as powerful tools for highlighting women’s issues. Prominent feminists like Sharmila Rege, Kamla Bhasin, and Vandana Shiva challenged prevailing notions of patriarchy and gender roles.
1.3 Western wave of Feminism
A decade into the 21st century, the terms of the debate seem to have changed entirely in the West. It seems overtly obsessed with questions of cultural identity, of alien cultures and a realization that choices and selfhoods need not be expressed in the language of the Western individual woman. The ‘choice’ to wear the veil by Muslim women in the West is… In a world politically more intolerant than ever, in a Western academia more multicultural than ever, the histories of non-Western feminisms no longer appear extraneous, beside the point, or even lacking the ‘authentic’ feminist impulse. Almost lurching to the other extreme, voices of non-Western women are now validated in the West. Alternative modes of agencies are being increasingly imagined. I am a trifle wary of the representation of the third world woman either as “victim subject” or as an “alternate agential self” – catch-all terms that reign in postcolonial Western academia. It is in such a context that it may be productive to shift focus to the ground reality of Indian feminist deliberations such as that of the Thirteenth National Conference of the Indian Association of Women’s Studies (IAWS) 2011, the largest national-level body of Indian feminists. Here we find a context that is far more complex and manifold, and concepts that are far more varied. In contemporary Indian feminism we thus have issues ranging from:
- developmental induced displacements to questions of alternative sexuality ;
- agrarian crisis to the need to challenge hierarchies of victimhood versus pleasure ;
- reproductive health to the question of controlling resources – land, forest and water ;
- global capitalism and the localized and diverse articulations of culture to military conflict ;
- language, voices representations to new markets and interlocking inequalities ;
- rural labour to women in religions ;
- Starvation to female spectatorship.
Challenges Faced by Women in India:
Despite the advancements made by the feminist movement, Indian women continue to encounter numerous challenges, rooted in deep-seated patriarchal attitudes and social norms. Some of the key challenges faced by women in India include:
2.1 Gender-Based Violence:
Violence against women remains a grave concern in India. Incidents of domestic violence, sexual harassment, acid attacks, and dowry-related deaths persist, exposing the vulnerabilities women face in their daily lives. The Nirbhaya case in 2012 and subsequent protests sparked national outrage, leading to heightened conversations about women’s safety.
2.2 Lack of Access to Education:
Although significant progress has been made in increasing female literacy rates, disparities between male and female education persist, particularly in rural areas. Socio-cultural norms and economic constraints often lead to girls dropping out of school at an early age.
2.3 Gender Pay Gap:
Indian women continue to face wage discrimination, with a gender pay gap prevalent across sectors. Women are often paid less than their male counterparts for the same work, further entrenching economic disparities.
2.4 Limited Representation in Politics and Corporate Leadership:
Despite constitutional provisions for reservation in local governance, women’s representation in political spheres remains inadequate. Similarly, women’s presence in corporate boardrooms and leadership positions remains significantly lower than that of men
2.5 Challenges of Women from Marginalized Communities:
Women from marginalized communities, such as Dalits, Adivasis, and religious minorities, face compounded discrimination due to intersecting factors of caste, class, and gender. They often struggle to access basic rights and face systemic barriers in their pursuit of justice.
Complexities in Indian feminism:
Feminism is neither a wisdom nor a gospel. It’s without the silhouettes of dogma and doctrine. In common parlance, Feminism is known as a movement “ of women, by women, for women ” to achieve women’s rights. It’s also known as women’s Liberation Movement. There’s no defined and specific description of the term Feminism because it’s indigenous. Kamla Bhasin says, “ Feminism is the name of the passions that women are subordinated to multiple atrocities in society and are exploited. The attempt to change this situation is generally appertained to as Feminism ”( Interview, Kamla Bhasin). She goes to the extent of saying that feminism is principally the feeling that ours is a patriarchal grounded society. inconvenience in her views, she says women are exploited in every aspect of life and those people whether the men or women who ask to bring the change in similar situation are appertained to as sexists. Bellington believes that “ Feminism is a women’s movement which aims atre-ordering of mortal relationship. ” While Anderine Rich says, “ The end of feminism is to fete the wrong comprehensions created by men about women ”. John Desrochers opines that “ Feminism is the act of creating mindfulness about the dependence and exploitation of women which continues at both places inside the family and outside the family. ” Barbara Smith says, “ Feminism is a political perception and the act of liberating women. ” It indeed talks about all types of women, women of a different colour, creed, working women, physically challenged women, economically unsound women and indeed senior women. Feminism addresses about all their applicable issues. Hence, it’s egregious that there’s no proper or definite description of feminism. It’s a conception or idea which focuses on colourful issues like patriarchy, inequality, protection, the defeat of connubial relations and commission of women and numerous further which are at the centre of feminism. Generally, people associate feminism with a directionless movement which teaches women to detest men, unreasonableness and destroy the traditional values of the family system. The reason for this is that people look at it only from a radical feminist perspective or wear the radical lens of feminism. While the verity is that ever since the birth of feminism numerous proponents along with propositions came into being. Their way of thinking was different from each other but all conceded that a woman should be given the due rights that she deserves in society as a mortal being. They were common on this point that a woman shouldn’t be treated like other coitus. similar treatment to women by society is condemned by the sexists. thus, all sexists endeavour to comprehend and address the issues and problems of women. Further, they raise their voice against the atrocities and exploitation done to women since periods. The idea is to fight against domination, demarcation and submission. It’s through this movement they question the conventional and traditional station of society. According to sexists, “ In all societies which divide coitus into different artistic, profitable or political spheres women are less valued in comparison to men. ” The word feminism tantamount to sexual equivalency combined with a commitment to abolish sexual ascendance and to transfigure the society. They’re against the sexual demarcation and sexual isolation of women at workplaces and in domestic life. They question the superiority of man and his polygamous nature at the expenditure of the submission of women. Now that we’ve some idea about western feminism, how far can this be applied to Indian society and situation, to imitate a mistake will be more dangerous. The part of women in the pre-colonial structure exhibits that feminism was theorized else in India than in the west.
Feminism in Modern India: The Third Wave:
In recent decades, feminism in India has entered its third wave, characterized by an intersectional approach that acknowledges the diverse experiences of women from different social backgrounds. The third wave has brought forth several positive changes, including:
3.1. Increased Political Representation:
The introduction of reservation quotas for women in local governance has led to a notable increase in women’s political participation. Women like Mayawati, Mamata Banerjee, and Sushma Swaraj have risen to prominence in national politics.
3.2. Grassroots Feminist Activism:
Numerous grassroots organizations and collectives have emerged, empowering women at the community level and addressing local issues. Organizations like SEWA (Self Employed Women’s Association) have championed the rights of women in the informal sector.
3.3. Legal Reforms:
Feminist activism has played a vital role in advocating for legal reforms and progressive laws. The criminalization of triple talaq (instant divorce) in 2019 was a significant step towards protecting Muslim women’s rights.
3.4. The Impact of #MeToo Movement:
The #MeToo movement gained traction in India, prompting women to speak out against sexual harassment and misconduct. This global movement encouraged a broader conversation about consent, power dynamics, and accountability.
Government Initiatives for Women’s Empowerment:
The Indian government has undertaken various initiatives to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment. Some of the key initiatives include:
4.1. Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (Save the Daughter, Educate the Daughter):
Launched in 2015, this initiative aims to address the declining child sex ratio and promote the education and welfare of girls.
4.2. Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act:
The act, passed in 2017, extends maternity leave for working women from 12 weeks to 26 weeks, providing greater support to new mothers.
4.3. Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission):
This nationwide cleanliness campaign aims to improve sanitation, which disproportionately affects women in rural areas.
Conclusion:
Feminism in India has made significant progress over the years, challenging oppressive norms and promoting gender equality. From advocating for legal reforms to fostering grassroots movements, Indian feminism has demonstrated its resilience and potential to bring about positive change. However, much work remains to be done to eradicate gender-based violence, achieve full representation, and ensure equal opportunities for women across all spheres of life. The continued efforts of activists, policymakers, and society at large are essential to realizing the vision of a more inclusive and equitable India for all genders.
In conclusion, feminism in India is a dynamic force that continues to evolve and address the multifaceted challenges faced by women. By acknowledging and challenging patriarchal structures, embracing intersectionality, and striving for policy reforms, India can move closer to achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment, fostering a more just and inclusive society.
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