Contents [hide]
1 Defining Feminism in the Indian context
2 History
2.1 First phase: 1850–1915
2.2 Second Phase: 1915–1947
3 The Concepts of Feminism and Equality
4 Beginnings of the “Feminist” Movement in India
5 Obstacles
6 Hindu Women in India
7 Muslim Women in India
8 Women at Work
9 Women and Education
10 Modernization
11 See also
12 References
13 External links
[edit]Defining Feminism in the Indian context
Pre-colonial social structures and women’s role in them reveal that feminism was theorized differently in …show more content…
Women were grappling with the issues relating to the scope of women’s political participation, women’s franchise, communal awards, and leadership roles in political parties.
Women’s participation in the freedom struggle developed their critical consciousness about their role and rights in independent India. This resulted in the introduction of the franchise and civic rights of women in the Indian constitution. There was provision for women’s upliftment through affirmative action, maternal health and child care provision (crèches), equal pay for equal work etc. The state adopted a patronizing role towards women. Women in India did not have to struggle for basic rights as did women in the West. The utopia ended soon when the social and cultural ideologies and structures failed to honour the newly acquired concepts of fundamental rights and democracy.
[edit]The Concepts of Feminism and Equality
In India, the concept of “equality” was completely alien until liberally exposed Western-educated Indians introduced it in the early nineteenth century. However, the term did not gain meaning or become an operational principle in Indian life until the country gained independence in 1947 and adopted a democratic government.[4] The Indian Constitution then granted equality and freedom from discrimination based on gender or religion, and guaranteed religious freedom.[5] Also, seven Five-Year Plans were developed to provide health, education, employment, and welfare to women. The