![\"An](\"https:\/\/www.jodi365.com\/singledout\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HeforShe.jpg\")
<\/a>Being a feminist in a country like India is challenging because the issues surrounding gender equality in India are different from those faced by our western counterparts. \u00a0Yet, the feminist movement in India commenced with the efforts of men who sought to extinguish the custom of sati<\/em>, child marriage and the social exclusion of widows. \u00a0The social reform movements of the late 19th<\/sup> century are often linked to the influence of the colonial empire in India. \u00a0It can be inferred that the colonial critique of Indian culture induced the social reform movements to a great extent. \u00a0As a result, feminist movements are\u00a0often perceived as an influence of Western culture. \u00a0Feminism has been flagged as being anti-national, for allegedly attacking the traditions of our country.<\/p>\n At this point, many would pause to ask themselves if feminism is necessary for a non-western country where the feminist ideology knows no origin. \u00a0But the need for equality in all spheres of life has propelled Indian women to internalize the feminist ideology and use it in the Indian context. \u00a0Nonetheless, it is not entirely an influence of the West. \u00a0As Uma Narayan, feminist scholar and Professor of Philosophy at Vassar College remarks, \u201cThird-World feminism is not a mindless mimicking of ‘Western agendas’ in one clear and simple sense\u00a0[…]\u00a0Indian feminism is clearly a response to issues specifically confronting many Indian women.\u201d<\/p>\n Since the pre-independence era, women have participated in the nationalist movements in order to liberate themselves from the confines of the private sphere and to voice their presence in the growing political scenario of the late-19th<\/sup> and early-20th<\/sup> century. \u00a0In other words, there was a need to bring the problems faced by women, which were usually confined to the private sphere, to the light of the public sphere. \u00a0Issues such as rape and domestic violence began to be reported and women empowerment started receiving increased awareness. Along with the protection of women’s rights offered by the state, the establishment of organizations that echo feminist concerns and support women’s movement have helped in empowering more Indian women. \u00a0Coinciding with first-wave feminist movement across the world, women’s movement in the pre-independence era constituted the first wave of feminism in India.<\/p>\n Victimized by tradition and culture, women sought compensation in education and restructuring of the social norms. \u00a0With the inception of independence, an egalitarian democracy was conceived. \u00a0The image of such a society dissipated when the violence against women reached dizzying heights in the form of rapes, honor killings, and dowry deaths. \u00a0In the 1960s and 1970s, there was a surge in women’s movements which resulted in transforming the social structure from within. \u00a0Prior to independence, the gendered division in the labor force was accepted. \u00a0These inequalities were challenged by feminists in the ’70s, and class-consciousness came into focus.\u00a0 As the changes picked up pace, the state supported women’s causes by altering laws to ensure protection. But of what use are laws on paper if they are not enforced appropriately?<\/p>\n Today, the women’s movement in India has become autonomous and decentralized with various organisations sprouting up in the urban, as well as in the rural areas of the country. \u00a0We need equality not just in the promising words of the constitution, but also in practice. \u00a0In the contemporary context, feminism has transcended the intangible yet treacherous gender divide in India and has included the concerns of women who are at a greater disadvantage due to their caste, language, religion, and tribe. \u00a0In a country where rape victims are still shamed and women who dare to live life differently are demoralized, feminism still has a long way to go.<\/p>\n Featured image courtesy of Nagarjun Kandukuru<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Editor’s note:<\/p>\n If you are interested in feminism, these other articles on our blog might interest you: The Evolution of Feminism<\/a> and\u00a0Feminism and the Institution of Marriage<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"Books](\"https:\/\/www.jodi365.com\/singledout\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Feminist-Movement.jpg\")
<\/a>![\"Feminist](\"https:\/\/www.jodi365.com\/singledout\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Dismantling-patriarchy-1.jpg\")
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