Discover India's journey toward women's empowerment through reform movements, key legislation, and the contributions of social reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Savitribai Phule, and Sarojini Naidu.
The Fight for Women's Empowerment: Reforms and Progress in India
Challenges Faced by Women in Pre-Reform India
Status and Identity of Women:Women were generally accorded a low status and were considered inferior adjuncts to men, with no identity of their own. They enjoyed no scope of giving expression to their talents due to practices such as purdah, early marriage, ban on widow-marriage, sati, etc.
Dependence and Denial of Rights: Both Hindu and Muslimwomen were economically and socially dependent on male relatives, while education was generally denied to them. Hinduwomen did not enjoy the right to inherit property or to terminate an undesirable marriage. Muslimwomen could inherit property but only half as much as men could, while in matters of divorce there was no equality between men and women. Polygamy was prevalent among Hindus as well as Muslims.
Role of Women: Their glorification as wives and mothers was the only way in which society recognised the contribution of women as members of society.
Need for Change: It was clearly understood that improving the status of women was vital for reformed homes and reformed men, and that no country whose females were sunk in ignorance could ever make significant progress in civilisation.
Key Reforms to Improve the Status of Women in India
Abolition of Sati: Influenced by the frontal attack launched by the enlightened Indian reformers led by Raja Rammohan Roy, the government declared the practice of sati illegal and punishable by criminal courts as culpable homicide. The Regulation of 1829 was initially applicable to Bengal Presidency alone but was extended to Madras and Bombay Presidencies in 1830.
Preventing Female Infanticide: The practice of murdering female infants was declared illegal and equivalent to murder by the Bengal regulations of 1795 and 1804. An Act passed in 1870 made it compulsory for parents to register the birth of all babies and provided for verification of female children for some years after birth.
Widow Remarriage: The Brahmo Samaj popularised widow remarriage, but it was mainly due to the efforts of Pandit Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar that the Hindu Widows’ Remarriage Act, 1856, was passed.
Child Marriage: The Native Marriage Act (1872) aimed to prohibit child marriage, with further acts like the Sarda Act (1930) raising the marriage age.
Education of Women: The Christian missionaries pioneered female education in India with significant milestones like the Bethune School (1849).
Women's Participation in Movements and Organizations
Participation in Movements:Women actively participated in movements like the swadeshi movement, anti-partition movements, and the Home Rule movement.
Formation of Women's Organizations: Key organizations like the AIWC and Bharat Stree Mahamandal advocated for women’s rights.
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