Question

Discuss the nature of the reform movement related to women.

Answer 1

In India, because of the importance given to patriarchy, women often led secondary roles even within the household, which was often solely their domain. Preference of male children, barring females from gaining an education, the ‘purdah’ system, the system of Sati, and lack of rights to inheritance were few of the methods through which women were being subjugated and oppressed. With the movement for equality cutting across caste and gender, several male reformers like Raja Rammohan Roy, Vidyasagar, etc. tried to uplift the female class in society. Several women reformers also started coming forward, including Pandita Ramabai, who established the ‘Arya Mahila Samaj’ and ‘Sharda Sadan’, and Ramabai Ranade, who founded ‘Seva Sadan’. At the national level, ‘Bharat Mahila Parishad’ (1904) and ‘All India Women's Conference’ (1927) were founded. The women reformers were known for establishing their independent institutions and organizations, and several issues, like the right to inheritance, the right to vote, etc., were dealt with through these. Rakhmabai Janardan Save, who was the first practicing woman doctor in India, delivered a series of lectures related to health issues of women. She also opened a branch of the Red Cross Society at Rajkot.

Women's participation in the public sphere increased in the 20^th century, which saw a rise in the number of women involved in the national movement and revolutionary work. The Act of 1935 enabled women to obtain positions in provincial ministries. After Independence, gender equality has been a guaranteed right as mandated by the Constitution.