Women Change the World
Women, Caste and Reform
Women Change the World – Fewer Opportunities
- In the past, girls had fewer chances in schooling, jobs, sports and public life.
- Most girls were expected to manage only household work instead of education.
- Social thinking treated boys as leaders and girls as dependents.
| Reason | How it affected girls | Layer |
|---|---|---|
| Poverty | Families invested more on boys’ education | Society & Social Structure |
| Household work | Girls used for unpaid domestic labour | Social roles |
| Social mindset | Belief that girls don’t need higher education | Culture & Belief Systems |
Girls had fewer chances due to society’s thinking, not due to lack of talent.
Always write these 3 reasons: poverty, household work, social attitude.
Women’s Movement in India
- The women’s movement works to achieve equality for women in all fields.
- It fought for education, voting rights, property rights, and legal protection.
- It moved from social reform to legal and constitutional reform.
| Period | Main focus | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 19th Century | Education, widow rights, social practices | Base for women’s reforms |
| Freedom Struggle | Political participation of women | Women entered public life |
| Post-Independence | Legal equality and protection | Women’s rights strengthened by laws |
Women’s movement = social reform + legal reform + constitutional rights.
Always connect women’s movement with education, law and participation.
Changing the Lives of Widows
- Widows were treated badly in old society.
- They were not allowed to remarry in many communities.
- Reformers worked to change this situation.
| Reform | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Widow Remarriage Act | Remarriage not allowed | Legally allowed (1856) |
| Education | No access | Slow improvement |
Widow remarriage law = legal step towards women’s dignity.
Mention Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar in reform answers.
Caste Inequality and Untouchability
- Caste system divided people by birth.
- Some groups were treated as untouchables.
- They were denied education, temple entry and public facilities.
| Area | Restriction | Layer |
|---|---|---|
| Education | No school entry | Society & Structure |
| Religion | No temple entry | Culture & Beliefs |
| Public life | No common facilities | Social inequality |
Caste discrimination = social + religious + economic injustice.
Caste and Social Reform
| Reformer | Contribution | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Jyotirao Phule | Fought caste injustice, wrote Gulamgiri | Education + social equality |
| Periyar | Self-Respect Movement | Caste reform |
| Dr. B.R. Ambedkar | Led Dalit movement, framed Constitution | Legal equality |
Caste reform linked social struggle with constitutional rights.
Use these 3 names in caste reform answers: Phule, Periyar, Ambedkar.
Inspirational Women and Reformers
| Name | Field / Area | Specific Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Smt Savitribai Phule | Education – Maharashtra | First Indian woman teacher; opened girls’ schools in Pune with Sri Jyotirao Phule. |
| Smt Sarojini Naidu | Politics & Freedom Movement – Uttar Pradesh | First woman Governor of an Indian state (Uttar Pradesh); freedom fighter and poet, voice for women’s political participation. |
| Smt Indira Gandhi | Prime Minister – India | First and only woman Prime Minister of India; strengthened central administration and led during major national challenges. |
| Smt Pandita Ramabai | Social Reform – Maharashtra | Worked for widows’ education and shelter; founded Sharada Sadan for women. |
| Smt Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain | Education & Writing – Bengal (Undivided India) | Pioneer of modern Muslim women’s education; founded first school for Muslim girls in Calcutta. |
| Smt P. T. Usha | Athletics (400m & 400m hurdles) – Kerala | Indian track and field legend; inspired generations of girls to enter professional sports. |
| Smt Sucheta Kriplani | Politics – Uttar Pradesh | First woman Chief Minister of India (Uttar Pradesh); contributed to freedom struggle and welfare initiatives. |
| Chakali Ailamma | Peasants’ & Social Movement – Telangana Region | Led armed resistance during Telangana Peasants’ Movement against feudal oppression; symbol of rural women’s courage. |
Indian women proved strength in education, politics, reform and sports.
For short answers, write name + one achievement + field.
Recent Women-Centric Reforms and Reservations
- 33% reservation for women in Parliament and State Assemblies approved by law.
- Reservation for women in local bodies strengthened political participation.
- Special policies for women in transport and public access.
| Policy | Purpose | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Legislative reservation | Political representation | More women in law-making |
| Public transport seats | Safety and mobility | More freedom of movement |
Reservation helps convert constitutional equality into real equality.
Always write percentage (33%) when answering reservation questions.
Andhra Pradesh – Women, Caste and Reform
| Name / Policy | Contribution | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Chakali Ailamma | Led Telangana Peasants Movement against feudal oppression | Inspired women and Dalits in social struggle |
| Kandukuri Veeresalingam | Promoted widow remarriage and girls’ education | Major reformer in Andhra region |
| APSRTC Women Seat Reservation | Seats reserved for women in buses | Improved safety and mobility |
| Self-Help Groups (DWCRA) | Economic empowerment for rural women | Built confidence and leadership among women |
| APSRTC Women Seat Reservation | Implemented by Andhra Pradesh Government | for an improved women’s mobility, public safety and access to work and education. |
| DWCRA Self-Help Groups (SHGs) | Strengthened by AP government with focus on rural women’s micro-credit, savings, self-employment and decision-making. | Economic independence and leadership development among rural women. |
Andhra women leaders and reforms connected local struggles with national change.
Always include Chakali Ailamma and Veeresalingam for Andhra-based answers.