HISTORIES OF FEMINISMS

India is large, diverse and unequal. The stories of feminism are likewise different. What
however binds them is a history of a colonial past, despite the
Fact that the spread and impact of colonialism was uneven and differential. And
subsequently, almost 65 years of development under a reasonably pro-active Indian state,
despite the fact that class, caste, region and gender implications of its policies has not been
uniform. It is not surprising therefore that Indian feminist writings have been intersectional
from its very inception. An attempt to squeeze in so much history in so little space is
hazardous. to the many scholarly works on feminism and women study.

FEMINISM IN INDIA CAN BE DIVIDED INTO THREE PHASES:

This phase of feminism (1885-1915) in India was initiated by men, especially colonial rulers,
who brought the concepts of modernity, democracy, infection and individual rights, the social
evils of sati (widow sacrifice), to prohibit child marriage, and to reduce illiteracy, as well as
determining the age of consent to marry and to secure property rights through legal
intervention. However, efforts to improve the status of women in Indian society were
somewhat thwarted in the late 19th century.
The Second Phase (1916-1947) saw the intensification of the struggle against British rule. A
conscious effort was made to develop the spirit of Nationalism by exalting the preeminence
of Indian culture and cultural revival. Mahatma Gandhi, who by that time had mastered the
freedom movement. Women-based organizations such as the All India Women’s Conference
(AIWC) and the National Federation of Indian Women were formed. Many related issues,
such as the scope of women’s political participation, women’s suffrage, communal awards,
and the role of leadership in political parties, came to the fore.
Third Phase (1947 onwards) Although Western-educated Indians were introduced in the early
nineteenth century, the term did not acquire meaning or become an operational principle in
Indian life until the country gained revenue in 1947 and implemented democratic governance

ACTS OF FEMINISM IN INDIA ARE:

- Women are not required to be educated to the same standard a Men.
- Women have only one resource.
- His end and purpose in life is to serve his comfort, and exercise his little control over
the domestic economy.
- Violence against women
- Unfair treatment of women, etc
PROTECTION OF WOMEN'S RIGHTS

The Indian constitution guarantees equality, including sexual, for all people (articles 14 &

15), equality of opportunity (Article 16), and equal pay for equal work (Article 39(d)). In

addition, it allows special provisions to be made by States in favor of women and children

(Article 15(3)), abandons practices de-respecting the dignity of women (Article 51(A)(e)),

and also allows for provisions to be made by State to ensure fair and humane working

conditions and for assistance in childbirth. (Meaning-chapter 42). All laws that are not in

accordance with the Fundamental Rights enshrined in the Constitution are null and void

(article 13)

But the personal religious law that discriminates against womenid is still in effect, not

invalidated, even after four decades after the adoption of the Constitution. The state has not

yet adopted a consistent policy regarding the reform of the legal person.

Feminism is challenged by various minority groups to be ignored. Meet the needs of minority

populations. It was suggested that 'mainstream' feminism was upper caste and Hindu in

orientation and did not address the concerns of minority women. This led to the formation of

Awaaz-e-Niswaan (Women's Voice) in 1987 in Mumbai in the mostly Muslim part of the

city. The Muslim community has become a personal target for laws that are often seen as

detrimental to the rights of Muslim women and this is a welcome sign

Despite the progress made by the Indian feminist movement, there are many discriminatory
and troubling issues facing women living in modern India. India still faces problems of
dowry, discrimination with daughters in the family, female infanticide, inheritance of
property rights. Despite efforts to bring up the lower castes by ensuring reservations, there
has been little difference in caste abolition. So for social and historical reasons, feminism in
India, presents stories of fractured house-movement divisions, divided by caste lines of
belief, religion, and region, except for a few surprise problems, which bring hope of unity.

Source
Feminism in India-A Fractured Movement - CiteSeerX
Chaudhuri, Maitrayee. (2012). Feminism inIndia : The Tale and It's Telling, Vol
209.2012, 19-36.