EMERGENCE OF THE WOMENS MOVEMENT IN INDIA

Questions posed in this paper are to do with the antecedents of the In dian women's movement, the model of womanhood that it has sought to pr omote, the influences which it seeks to combat or draw upon in fulfill ing its objectives and some of the contemporary issues addressed by it . Thus, examined are some historical processes that preceded the women 's movement in India, which began in 1974-75, and these are viewed in the light of the present, To begin with, there is discussion on reform for women in: the social reform movements of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries; the ensuing years of the national struggle; and the period following independence in 1947. The mid-seventies mark the beginning of the present wave of the movement, during which the c oncept itself gained currency. The role of women's organizations and t he State is discussed as these are principal players in the arena of t he movement. Finally, the challenge posed by conservative forces is no ted as the progressive groups, that constitute the women's movement, h ave to address themselves to it. This challenge is articulated by a ra nge of groups, including women's organizations, and it reflects the so cial and cultural mores embedded in existing institutions, and increas ingly, in political forums.