Social Movements — Sociology STD 12 Humanities — Question
CBSE BoardEnglish MediumSTD 12 HumanitiesSociologySocial Movements6 Marks
Question
Describe the second phase of India women's movement started in 1970.
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Answer
In the mid 1970s there was a renewal of the women's movement in India.
While many of the concerns remained the same there were changes both in terms of organizational strategy as well as ideologies.
There was the growth of what is termed as the autonomous women's movements. The term 'autonomy' referred to the fact that they were 'autonomous' or independent from political parties as distinct from those women's organizations that had links with political parties.
It was felt that political parties tended to marginalize issues of women.
Apart from organizational changes, there were new issues that were focused upon. For instance violence against women,
Over the years there have been numerous campaigns that have been taken up. eg. The application for school forms have both father's and mother's names. This was not always true.
Likewise important legal changes have taken place thanks to the campaign by the women's movement.
Issues of land rights, employment have been fought alongside rights against sexual harassment and dowry.
There has been recognition too that while all women are in some way disadvantaged vis-a-vis men, all women do not suffer the same level or kind of discrimination.
The concerns of the educated middle class woman are different from the peasant woman just as the concern of the Dalit woman is different from the 'upper caste' woman.
There has also been greater recognition that both men and women are constrained by the dominant gender identities.
For instance men in patriarchal societies feel they must be strong and successful. It is not, manly, to express oneself emotionally.
A gender-just society would allow both men and women to be free. This of course rests on the idea that for true freedom to grow and develop injustices of all kind have to end.
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