TARABAI SHINDE: Reflections On Recent Women Empowerment Scenarios

Policy Update
Lakshita Singh

About

As we look at our old patriarchal and orthodox society, though in recent times the thought has been improved much, the living conditions for women were very precarious. Women had no rights and were considered inferior to that of men. In ancient times, women were regarded as pious and religious and were worshiped in the form of mother goddesses, as the time passed Brahmanical order came into being, then one after the other, role of women in the society decreased from high esteem to just that of a mere household and husband caretaker. As we talk about the 19th century, there were no schools for women and they were not allowed the basic rights of education.

Tarabai Shinde was a pioneering feminist and social reformer from Buldana, Maharashtra. She belonged to the socially elite Maratha community. Although she did not receive formal education, she learned to read and write in Marathi, as well as some English and Sanskrit, with the help of her father, Bapuji Hari Shinde, who worked as the Head Clerk in the office of the Deputy Commissioner for Revenues.

Tarabai was an enthusiastic reader and stayed well-informed about societal events through newspapers. Despite the customs of her time, she was married young, and her husband moved into her household (gharjavai), which was unusual in the patriarchal society. She believed in the intrinsic value of women, with or without children, and chose to remain childless in her marriage.

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Tarabai Shinde known for her seminal pamphlet “Stri Purush Tulana” (“A Comparison Between Women and Men”), published in Marathi in 1882. This work is a groundbreaking critique of caste and patriarchy, often regarded as the first modern Indian feminist text. In “Stri Purush Tulana,” Shinde courageously challenged the dominant social norms and Hindu religious scriptures, highlighting them as sources of women’s oppression. Her views were highly controversial at the time and continue to spark debate today.

Shinde was also a member of the Satyashodhak Samaj, a social reform movement founded by Jyotirao Phule that aimed to promote equality and challenge social injustices, including caste discrimination and gender inequality. The Phules established the first school for Untouchable caste girls in 1848 and a shelter for upper-caste widows in 1854, who were barred from remarrying. They, along with Shinde, recognized both the distinct and interconnected nature of gender and caste oppression.

People today are still very reluctant to have a girl child. Why ? They prefer male sons over daughters or either kill them as we can see this practice still prevalent in parts of Haryana, Rajasthan. Although, men prove to be having more strength and power as compared to women but women are still humans right? Half of the world population is women, the source of all children are women only.

If there were no women, the people who kill their unborn daughters would have no wife to give birth to a male heir in the first place! Women play a crucial role in improving the lives of the household, behave as care-takers and do domestic work for which they get no money. Similarly, They can play a very vital role in the development of the country.

As we speak of Viksit Bharat, to be fully developed we need to address these issues that have their age old hold in the country and it is high time that we put more efforts to bring equality of opportunities and equal rights for women and they can prove to be an asset for country’s development in every aspect be it political, economic, social etc.

Challenging Patriarchy: The Revolutionary Feminism of Tarabai Shinde

Tarabai Shinde worked towards gender equality and promoting women’s empowerment through several key actions and contributions:

1. Literary Contributions:

“Stri Purush Tulana”: Her most notable work, “Stri Purush Tulana” (1882), critiqued the inherent gender biases in society. She argued against the unjust treatment of women and questioned the legitimacy of patriarchal practices upheld by religious texts. This pamphlet is considered a pioneering feminist text in Indian literature.

2. Critique of Religious Texts:

– Shinde boldly critiqued Hindu religious scriptures for their role in perpetuating women’s oppression. By challenging these texts, she addressed the root causes of gender discrimination in society. she says- “She will suffer hunger or thirst and put up with any harassment for the sake of the man she loves. She will be happy even in the worst circumstances possible. But, she will never, in her remotest dreams, think on her own of committing that crime.”

3. Association with Social Reform Movements:

Satyashodhak Samaj: Shinde was a member of the Satyashodhak Samaj, a social reform organization founded by Jyotirao Phule. The organization focused on eradicating social inequalities, including those based on caste and gender. Through her involvement, she contributed to broader efforts aimed at social reform and gender equality.

4. Advocacy for Women’s Education:

– Shinde advocated for the education of women as a means to empower them and promote gender equality. She believed that education was crucial for women to gain awareness of their rights and challenge oppressive practices. The fact that she wrote Stri Purush Tulana at the first place is a testimony to this.

5. Public Awareness and Debates:

– By publishing her radical views and engaging in public debates, Shinde raised awareness about the plight of women and encouraged societal introspection. Her work provoked discussions and controversies, pushing the issue of gender equality into the public sphere.

6. Role Model for Future Feminists:

– As one of the first Indian women to publicly speak out against gender discrimination, Shinde set a precedent for future generations of feminists. Her courage and intellectual contributions inspired others to continue the fight for women’s rights and gender equality. Through these efforts, Tarabai Shinde played a crucial role in addressing gender inequality and advocating for women’s empowerment in 19th-century India.

Government efforts (reinstating Tarabai’s ideals in combating gender inequality and women empowerment)

We can now see women hold top world leaders’ position in many countries, but the percentage is still very little. Similarly, in India we have reservations for women and the beauty of it we can now see as our own president coming from a

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tribal group and gaining such a top position in our country- Draupadi Murmu. According to global gender gap index 2024- India stands at 129th place out of 143 countries, improved from the last two previous years. These have been a few positive attitudes that have been seen. The Government of India has launched various initiatives to empower women by improving their social, educational, economic, and political status. Programs such as Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban & Rural) and the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) support vulnerable communities, while initiatives like Samagra Shiksha, the Scheme of National Overseas Scholarship, Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojna, and the Swachh Vidyalaya Mission ensure schools are accommodating girls.

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasizes gender equity, aiming to provide equal access to quality education for all students, with a focus on Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs).

To boost the employability of female workers, the government offers training through Women Industrial Training Institutes, National Vocational Training Institutes, and Regional Vocational Training Institutes. The Skill India Mission aims to enhance women’s economic independence through skill development and vocational training. The National Skill Development Policy focuses on inclusive skill development, striving to increase female participation for better economic productivity.

Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Kendras are dedicated to creating additional training and apprenticeship infrastructure for women, providing flexible training schedules, and ensuring a safe, gender-sensitive environment. These centers also promote the hiring of female trainers, ensure pay equity, and offer a complaint redressal mechanism. Initiatives like Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, Stand Up India, and the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) assist women in starting their own businesses. Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) aims to protect women’s health by providing clean cooking fuel, thus reducing the effort required to collect firewood. Further the initiatives taken are:

Poshan abhiyan
Ujjwala scheme
Beti bachao beti padhao
One stop center
Working women’s hostels etc.

Functioning an Overview

The Central Government of India has implemented several projects and schemes under the Nirbhaya Fund through various Ministries, Departments, and Implementing Agencies. These initiatives in recent times include:

1. Emergency Response Support System (ERSS): A pan-India single number (112) and mobile app-based system for emergencies.

2. Cyber-crime Reporting Portal: A platform to report obscene content online.

3. Safe City Projects: Launched in eight cities (Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, and Mumbai), these projects involve infrastructure development, technology adoption, and community capacity building through awareness programs, training, and skill development for Investigation Officers, Prosecution Officers, and Medical Officers for enhanced women safety.

4. Sexual Assault Evidence Collection (SAEC) Kits: Distributed to States and Union Territories (UTs) to aid in evidence collection for sexual assault cases.

5. State-of-the-Art DNA Laboratory: Established at CFSL, Chandigarh, to enhance forensic capabilities.

6. Support to Forensic Science Laboratories: Assistance provided to 24 States and UTs to strengthen their forensic science infrastructure.

7. Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs): Establishment of 1,023 FTSCs, including exclusive POCSO (e-POCSO) Courts, to expedite the disposal of rape cases and cases under the POCSO Act.

8. Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs): Setting up and strengthening AHTUs in all districts nationwide.

9. Women Help Desks (WHDs): Establishing and strengthening WHDs at Police Stations to provide support to women.

Additionally, the government has implemented the Investigation Tracking System for Sexual Offences, an online analytical tool for tracking and monitoring investigations, and created a National Database of Sexual Offenders (NDSO). The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) has partnered with the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) for the ‘Stree Manoraksha’ project, providing basic and advanced training to staff at One Stop Centres (OSCs) across India. This training focuses on addressing the psycho-social and mental health needs of women facing violence and distress.

Key outcomes of MWCD’s initiatives include:

Support for Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers: Assistance has been provided to over 2.6 crore women.
Improved Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB): SRB has increased from 918 to 937, and girls’ enrollment in primary and secondary education is now nearly equal to boys.
Operational One Stop Centres (OSCs): 708 OSCs have been set up, helping 5.40 lakh women.
Women Helpline (WHL): 34 States/UTs have operational WHLs that have handled over 70 lakh calls.
Ujjawala Homes: 107 Ujjawala homes are functional, assisting 6,175 inmates.
Swadhar Greh Homes: 367 Swadhar Greh homes have been established, aiding 17,291 inmates.
Working Women Hostels: 450 hostels are operational, supporting 74,666 working women and 11,018 children in day care centers.
Gender Budgeting: Implemented in 41 Ministries/Departments with an allocation of Rs. 1.71 lakh crore for the financial year 2022-23.

The National Family Health Survey – 5 (NFHS-5) data reflects positive changes over the past five years compared to NFHS-4:

– Bank Account Ownership: 78.6% of women now own and use their own bank accounts, up by 25%.

– Mobile Phone Ownership: 54% of women own and use mobile phones, compared to 46% five years ago.

– Property Ownership: 43% of women own a house or land, either solely or jointly, up from 38% five years ago.

– Sex Ratio Improvement: Data indicates a positive shift in the sex ratio.

– Women-Led Businesses: 20% of non-farm businesses are led by women.

Social attitudes are also changing, with increased respect for women’s opinions and greater involvement in household decision-making. NFHS-5 data shows that 88.7% of women participate in major household decisions, up from 84% five years ago. Additionally, the incidence of spousal violence has decreased significantly, with 29% of married women reporting such violence compared to 39% a decade ago and 33% five years ago. (as per data 2022)

Hindrances despite the efforts

Social stigma

Gender inequality remains a fundamental issue impacting women globally. Despite notable advancements, women still face disparities in education, employment, political representation, and access to healthcare. Addressing these inequalities requires not only breaking down systemic barriers and discriminatory practices but also challenging and transforming societal attitudes and orthodox beliefs about women. These efforts are crucial for advancing women’s empowerment and achieving true gender equality.

Lack of safe environment, violence against women

Women are often subjected to harassment and violence in their workplaces and homes too. Violence against women remains a widespread and severe issue, impacting millions around the world. It manifests in various forms, including domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and harmful traditional practices.

To address this problem effectively, it is essential to create a safe and supportive environment where women can thrive and reach their full potential. According to a report on the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), at least one in three women globally is a victim of violence. As per cag report on women empowerment – There was substantial increase in cases of rape (43 per cent) and kidnapping and abduction of girls/women (21 per cent) during 2013-14 as compared to previous year. 59 per cent of the victims of rape and 71 per cent of victims of kidnapping and abduction were minor girls.

Lack of economic opportunities

A major challenge for women is the restricted access to economic opportunities. They frequently face obstacles in the workplace, such as wage disparities, limited career advancement, and occupational segregation. Ensuring equal access to education, training, and entrepreneurship can empower women economically, promoting independence and helping to alleviate poverty.

Problem of unpaid leaves for pregnant women

Though it has been there, it is not very efficient. There should be a provision for the women for paid leave for maternal care and empower them through various social measures as we see the ratio between men and women is still not at par. So, additional measures for women in workplaces like incentives can prove to be beneficial.

Way forward

Tarabai Shinde is a prominent character to study about in this regard she has been regarded as a first feminist by the scholars who advocated for the change in women’s lives. Though there are many challenges in all spheres that women face every day.

Be it the unpaid domestic work to political and economic gender inequalities, there is a need to address these challenges as it is clearly mentioned in SDG goal 5 to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. By studying the past and having an in-depth analysis of the conditions that are faced by women, we can then only make informed decisions for the future.

Organizing women in self help groups in rural areas can be one way to make them financially independent and other thing we can do to improve is the already existing policies for women because bringing about new laws and policy won’t change until it is fully implemented starting from underserved areas to every city and full monitoring and auditing should be done.