Volume-II, Special Issue, March 2026
Novel Insights A Peer-Reviewed Quarterly Multidisciplinary Research Journal |
Volume-II, Special Issue, March 2026 |
Social Movements in India and Role of Women Since 1947 Ruksar Rojina Titumir Hassan, Student, Dept. of History, University of Kalyani, West Bengal, India Email: sktitumir786@gmail.com |
Received: 20.03.2026 | Accepted: 30.03.2026 | Published Online: 31.03.2026 |
Page No: 177-192 | DOI: 10.69655/novelinsights.vol.2.issue.specialW.101 | |
Abstract | ||
The socio-political landscape of India has undergone significant transformation since independence in 1947, with gender dynamics playing a pivotal role in shaping both social and political reforms. Women in India have been integral to various social movements, advocating for gender equality, human rights, and justice. This abstract seeks to provide an overview of the evolution of women's roles in Indian social movements, highlighting key campaigns, their intersection with gender issues, and their contribution to social reform. Post-independence, women were central to nation-building, and their participation in movements reflected a continuous struggle against patriarchal structures. The early decades saw women's involvement in the political domain, with figures like Indira Gandhi rising to prominence. However, the grassroots mobilization of women began to gain momentum in the 1970s and 1980s, with movements such as the Chipko Movement (1973) and the anti-dowry movement (1980s) bringing rural and urban women to the forefront. These movements challenged traditional roles assigned to women and showcased their capacity to lead change, influencing both the environment and family systems. The feminist movement in India during the 1970s significantly shaped discourse around gender and social inequality. This period saw a re-evaluation of issues like domestic violence, dowry deaths, rape, and female infanticide, leading to the formulation of laws such as the Dowry Prohibition Act (1961), the Equal Remuneration Act (1976), and amendments to the criminal justice system for rape (1983). Women's organizations, such as the Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) and the All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA), played a critical role in demanding economic, political, and social justice for women across different strata. The post-liberalization period (1990s onward) brought new challenges, with neoliberal policies intensifying the divide between urban and rural women. Globalization introduced new forms of labor for women, especially in the informal sector, leading to movements advocating labor rights, safe working conditions, and fair wages. Rural women, in particular, became key participants in movements against land displacement, deforestation, and water rights, as witnessed in the Narmada Bachao Andolan and Kudumbashree. In the 21st century, movements such as the anti-rape protests following the 2012 Delhi gang rape, #MeToo, and the Shaheen Bagh protests (2019–2020) have redefined the role of women in contemporary Indian society. These movements emphasize bodily autonomy, legal reform, and intersectionality, linking gender issues with caste, religion, and class struggles. The protests also saw an unprecedented solidarity across generations, social classes, and communities, highlighting women as powerful agents of socio-political change. In conclusion, the role of women in Indian social movements since 1947 reflects a complex interplay of traditional gender roles, political activism, and evolving societal values. Their participation has been crucial in challenging patriarchal norms and advocating for legal, social, and economic reforms, shaping the broader struggle for gender equality in India. The historical trajectory of these movements underscores the resilience and leadership of women in the fight for a more just and equitable society. Keywords: Gender Equality, Social Movements, Patriarchal Structures, Feminist Movement, Intersectionality | ||