From the struggle for Independence to the women’s suffrage movement, India’s social and political movements have witnessed the power of feminism from time to time. From education reformists to freedom fighters, Indian women have stepped into diverse roles to fight for their rights and work for the betterment of the country.
One of the brightest examples of such strong Indian women, who were able to bring about necessary change in the society, is Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule, the pioneer of the Indian feminist movement.
Born on January 3, 1831 in Naigaon, Satara, Savitribai Phule was a social reformer and feminist who spoke up for the right to education of girls in India.
This month saw the 190th birth anniversary of the renowned woman social reformer and the day was celebrated as Balika Din in her birth state of Maharashtra in tribute to her.
Standing up for women’s right to education, Savitribai established the first ever school for girls in the country at a time when girls had no access to school education. Fighting against the regressively patriarchal mindset of the Indian society that discriminated against girls due to a deep-rooted gender bias, Savitribai continued to work for the fundamental rights of women even though she faced resistance from the men in her society.
Although she was boycotted and abused by men for her progressive stance on women’s rights, her husband Jyotirao Phule was a force behind her, providing her the support and encouragement she needed to burn bright as a beacon of women’s empowerment.
Her own journey from illiteracy to becoming the first female teacher of India is an example that many cite as an inspiration even today. During the time of her marriage at the young age of nine, she was illiterate, but her husband made her aware about the value of education and taught her at home.
Empowered with education, Savitribai went on to spread the light of education and equality in the society, working actively to erase discrimination on the basis of caste and gender. For her work in the field of social reform, she is believed to be the mother of Indian feminism and a leading proponent of the social reform movement in Maharashtra.
By the year 1851, Savitribai Phule had established three schools where she was teaching almost 150 students. In her lifetime, she established a total of 17 schools where women from different backgrounds were educated. She encouraged women to study by offering them stipends for attending schools.
As a social reformer, she not only fought for women’s empowerment but campaigned against the evil practice of sati, child marriage and the unfair caste bias prevalent in the society.
Savitribai Phule was the founder of Mahila Seva Mandal, a women’s association that spreads awareness about women’s empowerment. She also dug up a well for the lower castes at her home to protest against the practice of untouchability in the society.
Apart from being a personification of strength, she was full of compassion and selflessness which showed in her service for the wellbeing of people during the bubonic plague of 1897. She established a clinic for the treatment of bubonic plague patients. Unfortunately, the plague claimed her life in the same year.
Savitribai Phule’s life is an example of a life spent in the service of humankind and for the greater good of the society. Many of the causes that she fought for are issues still raised by Indian feminists even today.
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