• The experiences of the “women in colonized nations” are studied by Postcolonial feminist theorists. In contrast to the Feminist scholars’ responsibility to counter the misrepresentation of women as inferior a Postcolonial feminist scholars’ responsibility is onerous. This is because she experiences what scholars term as “double colonization” as she experiences the oppression of not only patriarchy but also colonialism.  The task vested to her is to rise above mental subjugation at both patriarchal and colonial levels where the fellow male counterparts are not allies but adversaries.

• Modern Indian Feminists deserve a separate mention in this discourse. Women like Medha Patkar, a fierce campaigner, and a feminist social worker; Amrita Pritam who was the first woman to be awarded” Sahitya Akademi Award” Gita Sahgal, an award-winning director and  a journalist on issues of feminism; Vandana Shiva, environmentalism and prominent leader of Ecofeminist movements; Nivedita Menon who authored Seeing like a feminist; lawyers like Anuradha Katju and Menaka Guruswamy who worked for the decriminalization of Section 377;

• Neera Desai is some of the Sahgal, an award-winning director and a journalist on issues of feminism; Vandana Shiva, environmentalism and prominent leader of Ecofeminist movements; Nivedita Menon who authored Seeing like a feminist; lawyers like Anuradha Katju and Menaka Guruswamy who worked for the decriminalization of Section 377; Neera Desai are some of the prominent figures who have contributed substantially in the course of the growth of feminism in India.

• In the scholarly circles the course of feminist reforms is studied under three main time frames: the first phase which began in the mid-19^th century under the Imperial regime of the East India Company (later British Government), was characterized by several reforms initiated by both British Governors and educated Indians. Raja Ram Mohan Roy who created the “Brahmo Samaj” persuaded Governor-General of India Lord William Bentick to ban Sati Pratha. (1828) He contributed in many other dimensions for the upliftment of women in society. 

• “Arya Samaj” was founded by Swami Dayanand Saraswati in 1875, Other organizations like the “Prarthna Samaj” also played important role in feminist movements, Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey (SNDT) University Women’s University was established by Maharshi Dr. Dhondo Keshav Karve in Bombay in 1916. There also were women like Savitri Bai Phule (1831-1897) who contributed profusely in the field of female education, Tarabai Shinde (1850-1910) whose work “Stri Purush Tulana” is regarded as the first Indian feminist corpus, and Pandita Ramabai (1858-1922) who also worked for social reform of women. Although, the first phase of feminism in India is mostly characterized by male advocates

• This also necessitates the mention of the forgotten valiant women of the Revolt of 1857. Apart from the much-celebrated women in warlike Queen of Jhansi and Begum Hazrat Mahal of Lucknow, even before the revolt, in the 17^th century, Rani Belawadi Mallammma of Belawadi, Belgaum district fought against not only the British but also the Marathas. Other queens like Rani Chennamma of Kittoor in Karnataka, Rani Velu Nachiyar, the queen of Sivaganga in the 18^th century, fought to safeguard their countries, and women like Jhalkari Devi, Uda Devi, and Avanti Bai Lodhi left an indelible mark in the annuls of history.

• The second phase can be attributed to the time period between the year 1915 to the Indian independence when Gandhi incorporated women’s movements into the Quit India movement and many independent women’s organizations began to emerge like All India Women’s Conference (AIWC) and National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW). Although the participation of women was not vehement and commonplace this culminated in the realization of women as equals, at least,  in theory. Leaders like Aruna Asaf Ali, Sarojini Naidu, Bhikaji Cama, Annie Beasant, and Dr. Lakshmi Sahgal became part of the Indian National Movement.

• There is a huge lacunae between what is prescribed as ideal and what exists as a reality. Despite making considerable enhancement of the status of women we are still holding on to the archaic patriarchal values. There is a famous Sanskrit shloka that goes,

• “Yatra Naryastupujyanteramantetatra devata. Yatra it astuna pujyante sarvastrafala kriyah.” Manusmriti (3.56)

• Translates to, “Where women are honored, divinity blossoms there, and where ever women are dishonored, all actions no matter how noble it may be, remains unfruitful.”

• The culture which talks about the worship of women is still laced with countless manifestations of exploitation of women. The status of women is nowhere near what is prescribed in the scriptures or in the Constitution of India.

• According to the National Sample Survey guidelines in which nationwide literacy rate of females is only 70.3% and the regional divide paints a murky picture with only 57.6% literacy in areas of Rajasthan.

• The sex ratio, which is the ratio of males to females in a population, according to the latest data given by the Census of India was 108.9 in 2011. The natural sex ratio is assumed between 103 and 107, and any number above it is considered as suggestive of the practice of female feticide and infanticide.

• There are many other crimes like acid attack, rape, child marriage, domestic violence, Dowry, honor killings, trafficking of women, and sexual harassment which are widespread in our society.

• The participation of women in the workplace has also not been very encouraging. According to a report by World Bank, The female labor participation rate in India had fallen to 20.3% in 2019 from more than 26% in 2005.

• In the wake of the dismal picture painted by the grim statistics, only the incessant struggle for the liberation of women from the shackles of patriarchy acts as a ray of hope. The struggle is shaped by the millions of women are breaking their chains every day which reminds me of beautiful poetry by Tishani Doshi celebrating the grit of women,  titled “ The River of girls.”

Here is an excerpt;

This doctor with his rusty tools,

This street cleaner, this mother

Laying down the bloody offerings

Of birth. This is not the cry

Of a beginning, or a river

Buried in the bowels of the earth.

This is the sound of ten million girls

Singing of a time in the universe

When they were born with tigers

Breathing between their thighs”