7.1.3. Women write about women

From the early twentieth century, Muslim women like the Begums of Bhopal played a notable role in promoting education among women. They founded a primary school for girls at Aligarh. Another remarkable woman, Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain started schools for Muslim girls in Patna and Calcutta. She was a fearless critic of conservative ideas, arguing that religious leaders of every faith accorded an inferior place to women.

In the early 1900s, notable Muslim women took significant steps towards advancing women's education. The Begums of Bhopal, for instance, established schools specifically for girls, which was an important move to increase literacy among women. Additionally, Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain emerged as a strong advocate for women's rights, challenging traditional views that placed women in a subordinate position. Her actions and writings encouraged many to consider the importance of education for girls.

Consider the story of Malala Yousafzai, who, like Begum Rokeya, faced strong opposition for advocating girls' education in her community. Her determination and bravery led to a global movement for girls' right to education. Just as Begum Rokeya challenged conservative beliefs, Malala's journey inspires many to fight for educational rights.

By the 1880s, Indian women began to enter universities. Once some of them trained to be doctors, others became teachers, and many began to write and publish their critical views on the place of women in society. Tarabai Shinde, a woman educated at home in Poona, published a book, Stripurushtulna, (a comparison between women and men), criticising the social differences between men and women.

As women gained access to higher education in the late 19th century, many started to voice their opinions on societal issues. They became educated professionals such as doctors and teachers, and they also took up writing, using literature as a platform for critique. Tarabai Shinde’s publication, 'Stripurushtulna', highlighted how men dominated society while questioning the inequalities faced by women, representing a significant step in feminist literature.

Think of contemporary female authors like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, who use their writing to address issues of gender inequality and empower women. Just as Tarabai Shinde's work brought attention to the struggles women faced in her time, modern writers continue to challenge societal norms through powerful storytelling.

Pandita Ramabai, a great scholar of Sanskrit, felt that Hinduism was oppressive towards women and wrote a book about the miserable lives of upper-caste Hindu women. She founded a widows' home at Poona to provide shelter to widows who had been treated badly by their husbands' relatives.

Pandita Ramabai was a significant figure in advocating for women's rights from a religious perspective. She formulated critiques of Hindu practices she deemed oppressive, particularly towards women. Her establishment of a widows' home was a direct response to the plight of widows in society, emphasizing compassion and the need for practical solutions to help those marginalized by tradition.

This can be likened to modern organizations that provide safe havens for victims of domestic violence. Just as Ramabai created a supportive space for widows, current initiatives seek to empower individuals facing oppression and provide them with resources to rebuild their lives.

By the end of the 19th century, women themselves were actively working for reform. They wrote books, edited magazines, founded schools and training centres, and set up women’s associations. From the early twentieth century, they formed political pressure groups to push through laws for female suffrage and better health care and education for women.

Women became increasingly active in the reform movements toward the end of the 19th century. By forming associations and pressure groups, they campaigned for social change and improvements in their legal rights, healthcare, and education. This organized activism laid the groundwork for modern feminist movements, showcasing women's collective power.

This is similar to the women’s liberation movement in the 1960s and 70s, where women organized marches and campaigns to demand equality. Their collective actions led to significant changes in laws and societal attitudes, much like the efforts of women in the early 20th century aimed at driving reform.

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