Feminism refers to empowering women and striving for gender equality

across social, economic, and political spheres. It inspires women's

movements. Feminism is a broad political, cultural, and social
movement that seeks gender equality and justice.
Learning Objectives

By the end of this topic, you will be able to

• Interpret feminist theory and its interdisciplinary nature.

• Devise the challenges and discrimination faced by women.
• Assess the historical development of women's movements in India
Emergence of Feminist Thoughts

• In response to challenges, recognizing women's unequal status.

• In critique of patriarchal system drives emergence.
• Activism in late 1960s sparks feminist movement.
Emergence of Feminist Thoughts

• Feminism challenges patriarchal ideologies and questions women's subordination.

• Women's oppression is central to feminist perspective.
• Gender equality and equal rights are fundamental to feminism.
Feminist Theory

What is feminist theory?

• Feminist theory seeks to identify ways in which norms, roles, institutions, and
internalized expectations limit women’s behaviour.
• It examines how societal norms and expectations restrict women's behavior and
explores their personal agency within power constraints.
 How is it different from other sociological theories?

SEX
ASPECT FEMINIST THEORY OTHER SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES

Involves scholars from various

Interdisciplinary Approach Primarily focused within sociology
disciplines

Transformative Focus Aims to change society for social justice Emphasis on understanding and analysis
 How is it different from other sociological theories?

SEX
ASPECT FEMINIST THEORY OTHER SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES

Radical Potential Carries new and radical potential Often more traditional in approach

Includes contributions from political

Origins Primarily developed by sociologists
activists
 Women’s Movements In India

• Limited resistance against patriarchy in India

• 19th century women’s writings expressed disenchantment
• Women’s organizing grew during freedom movement
 3 WAVES - Introduction
SEX

Women's movement in India evolved in three waves.

 First wave during British colonial period aimed at social reform.
 Second wave post-independence focused on women's upliftment.
 Third wave emphasized empowerment and addressing various forms of violence.
 Summary

In this topic, you learned

 Feminism critically examines women's subordination, challenging patriarchal ideologies that justify it as
natural and universal.
 Feminist theory analyzes how norms limit women's behavior while highlighting their personal agency
within power dynamics.
 Women's movement in India evolved in three waves.