Women Movement

Women’s Movement

Immediately after two decades of independence, the overall feelings with respect to women’s issues were concerned with the required legislative reforms.

Many acts were passed to translate namesake equality into true spirits, like the Special Marriage Act of 1954, the Hindu Marriage Act (1956), Inter State Succession Act (1956) and the Dowry Prohibition Act 1961 were enacted.

There are three prominent women’s organizations, which are still working for the women’s cause. All India Women’s Conference (AIWC), National Federation of Indian Women (1954) and All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA since 1981). Neither of them has direct political affiliations, but AIWC is known to have close links with Congress, the NFIW with the CPI, and AIDWA with CPM.

The mid-1970s were a watershed year in Indian Politics. A series of locally organised and intense popular struggles broke out. E.g., the united women’s Anti- Price Rise Front, which turned into a mass movement of women for consumer protection; the Chipko Movement for environment protection; Bodhgaya movement for women’s land rights.

Nationwide protests were organised around specific incidents like the Mathura Rape Case (1978), and the Jessica Lal Murder case, the latest ones were Nirbhaya Case in Delhi (2012).

There is growing demand for women’s safety, dignity, employment, and reservation in assemblies and Parliament.

Various NGOs have also contributed a lot to women’s emancipation. But there are many rape cases and violence against women happening in the country despite multiple laws.