Development of women’s movement in India: A historical perspective

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to look at the antecedents of the Indian women?s movement and the achievements before and after independence. The status of women has been a central concern of many reform movements in India. Prior to India?s independence, the organizations and groups that addressed social issues and sought change for women were closely associated with the independence movement. The women?s movement during the 19th century in India emanated from the broader social reforms movement. Consequently, the 20th century freedom movement and women?s rights movement in the post-1970s has brought to the fore a wide range of women?s concerns. The subsequent events like the constitutional promise of gender equality, Towards Equality Report prepared by the Committee on the Status of Women in 1974 have surely promoted women?s concern to some extent. All these achievements were the result of women?s movement groups that worked for the promotion of women?s rights and equality. In the above-stated context, this paper also analysis the issues of women?s justice and equality taken up by women?s groups in pre and post-independent India.