Role of Women and Women’s Organisations
The role of women in India has been central to the country’s social, cultural, and economic development. From ancient times, women were respected as symbols of strength and wisdom. However, during medieval and colonial periods, their status declined due to social evils like child marriage, dowry, and restrictions on education.
In independent India, the Constitution guaranteed equality to women, and various laws and social reform movements aimed at improving their condition. Alongside, women’s organisations have played a powerful role in fighting discrimination, promoting empowerment, and ensuring women’s participation in nation-building.
Understanding this topic is important for aspirants because the role of women is directly linked to social justice, governance, and development.
1. Historical Role of Women in India
| Period | Status/Role of Women | Example/Note |
|---|---|---|
| Ancient India | Women enjoyed high respect, participated in learning and Vedic rituals | Gargi, Maitreyi – women philosophers |
| Medieval India | Decline due to patriarchy, purdah, child marriage, and dowry | Sati practice, women confined to households |
| Colonial Period | Reformers fought for education, widow remarriage, and legal rights | Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar |
| Modern India | Women gained legal equality, political rights, education, and work opportunities | Women in Parliament, business, sports |
Note: The journey of women reflects the larger journey of Indian society—from tradition-bound to modern democratic values.
2. Constitutional and Legal Provisions for Women
The Indian Constitution ensures gender equality:
- Article 14: Equality before law
- Article 15: No discrimination based on sex
- Article 16: Equal opportunity in public employment
- Article 39(d): Equal pay for equal work
- Article 51A(e): Duty to renounce practices derogatory to women
Important Laws for Women:
- Dowry Prohibition Act (1961)
- Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (2005)
- Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act (2013)
- Maternity Benefit Act (2017, amended)
3. Current Role of Women in Indian Society
Women today play diverse roles across social, economic, political, and cultural life.
(a) Social Role
- Women act as caretakers of family and traditions.
- They are also breaking stereotypes by pursuing higher education and professional careers.
(b) Economic Role
- Women contribute to agriculture, industry, and services.
- Around 27% of India’s workforce are women (as per Periodic Labour Force Survey).
| Sector | Role of Women | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture | Majority in rural farming activities | Women farmers in Punjab, Odisha |
| Industry | Workers in textile, handicrafts, IT | Women in SEZs, garment sector |
| Services | Doctors, teachers, IT professionals | Indra Nooyi (PepsiCo), Kiran Mazumdar Shaw (Biocon) |
(c) Political Role
- Women have entered politics at both local and national levels.
- 33% reservation in Panchayati Raj has given leadership opportunities.
Example: Women sarpanches in Odisha, Mamata Banerjee as CM, Droupadi Murmu as President.
(d) Cultural Role
- Women are leading in arts, literature, sports, and cinema.
- Examples: P.V. Sindhu (Badminton), Mary Kom (Boxing), Arundhati Roy (Literature).
4. Challenges Faced by Women
Despite progress, women still face barriers:
| Challenge | Example/Remark |
|---|---|
| Gender inequality | Wage gap between men and women |
| Violence and harassment | Nirbhaya case (2012) highlighted safety issues |
| Education gap | Female literacy rate (70.3%) lower than male (84.7%) – Census 2011 |
| Health issues | Malnutrition, maternal mortality |
| Underrepresentation | Only 14% women MPs in Lok Sabha (2019) |
Note: Removing these challenges is crucial for achieving inclusive development.
5. Women’s Organisations and Their Role
Women’s organisations are crucial in mobilising women, fighting injustice, and influencing policy.
Major Women’s Organisations in India
| Organisation | Year/Founders/Details | Role/Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| All India Women’s Conference (AIWC) | 1927, Margaret Cousins and others | Education, legal reforms, social welfare |
| National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW) | 1954, women leaders of CPI | Women workers’ rights, equal wages |
| Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) | 1972, Ela Bhatt (Ahmedabad) | Empowering women in informal sector |
| Centre for Women’s Development Studies (CWDS) | 1980 | Research and advocacy for women |
| National Commission for Women (NCW) | 1992 (Statutory body) | Policy advocacy, handling complaints |
Example: SEWA has over 1.9 million women members, helping them in micro-finance and skill training.
6. Role of Women’s Organisations in Social Reform
- Awareness Creation: Campaigns against dowry, domestic violence, and gender discrimination.
- Policy Influence: Lobbying for laws like Domestic Violence Act (2005).
- Economic Empowerment: Providing self-help groups (SHGs), micro-credit facilities.
- Education: Running schools and literacy programs for girls.
- Political Participation: Encouraging women to contest elections.
Case Study: Mission Shakti in Odisha supports women SHGs and empowers them through loans, training, and self-employment.
7. Government Initiatives for Women Empowerment
| Scheme/Program | Objective |
|---|---|
| Beti Bachao Beti Padhao | Save girl child, promote education |
| Mahila Shakti Kendra | Skill development, digital literacy |
| One Stop Centre Scheme | Support to women facing violence |
| Ujjwala Scheme | Prevent trafficking, rescue victims |
| Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana | Financial security for girl child |
Note: Government schemes + women’s organisations = stronger impact.
8. Women in Leadership and Inspiration
- Politics: Indira Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Sushma Swaraj, Nirmala Sitharaman.
- Science & Tech: Tessy Thomas (“Missile Woman of India”), Kalpana Chawla.
- Sports: P.T. Usha, Mithali Raj, Hima Das.
- Social Work: Ela Bhatt, Medha Patkar.
These women inspire millions to believe that barriers can be broken.
9. Way Forward
For real empowerment, India must focus on:
- Education of girls at all levels.
- Equal pay and employment opportunities.
- Safety and security in public and private spaces.
- Health and nutrition programs for women.
- Stronger role of SHGs and NGOs in villages.
- Political representation through Women’s Reservation Bill.
Conclusion
The role of women in Indian society has transformed significantly—from restricted domestic roles to leadership in every field. Yet, complete equality is still a work in progress. Women’s organisations, government initiatives, and changing social attitudes are all contributing to this transformation.
Key Message:
Empowering women means empowering the whole society. As Swami Vivekananda said:
“There is no chance for the welfare of the world unless the condition of women is improved.”
Thus, the role of women and their organisations is not just about gender justice—it is about nation-building, democracy, and inclusive growth.
