Study with the several resources on Docsity
Earn points by helping other students or get them with a premium plan
Prepare for your exams
Study with the several resources on Docsity
Earn points to download
Earn points by helping other students or get them with a premium plan
Community
Ask the community for help and clear up your study doubts
Discover the best universities in your country according to Docsity users
Free resources
Download our free guides on studying techniques, anxiety management strategies, and thesis advice from Docsity tutors
sociology project on feminism in developing societies
Typology: Study Guides, Projects, Research
1 / 22
This page cannot be seen from the preview
Don't miss anything!
I feel highly elated to work on the topic “Feminism in Developing Societies”. The practical realization of this project has obligated the assistance of many persons. I express my deepest regard and gratitude for Dr. Uttam Kumar Panda. His consistent supervision, constant inspiration and invaluable guidance have been of immense help in understanding and carrying out the nuances of the project report. I would like to thank my family and friends without whose support and encouragement, this project would not have been a reality. I take this opportunity to also thank the University and the Vice Chancellor for providing extensive database resources in the Library and through Internet. I would be grateful to receive comments and suggestions to further improve this project report. Ayush Kumar Semester I, Roll No. 39, B.A. LL.B. (Hons.)
I hereby declare that this research work titled “Feminism in Developing Societies” is my own work and represents my own ideas, and where others’ ideas or words have been included, I have adequately cited and referenced the original sources. I also declare that I have adhered to all principles of academic honesty and integrity and have not misrepresented or fabricated or falsified any idea/data/fact/source in my submission. Ayush Kumar Semester I, Roll No. 39, B.A. LL.B. (Hons.)
Although largely originating in the West, feminism is manifested worldwide and is represented by various institutions committed to activity on behalf of women's rights and interests. Throughout most of Western history, women were confined to the domestic sphere, while public life was reserved for men. In medieval Europe, women were denied the right to own property, to study, or to participate in public life. At the end of the 19th century in France, they were still compelled to cover their heads in public, and, in parts of Germany, a husband still had the right to sell his wife. Even as late as the early 20th century, women could neither vote nor hold elective office in Europe and in most of the United States (where several territories and states granted woman suffrage long before the federal government did so). Women were prevented from conducting business without a male representative, be it father, brother, husband, legal agent, or even son. Married women could not exercise control over their own children without the permission of their husbands. Moreover, women had little or no access to education and were barred from most professions. In some parts of the world, such restrictions on women continue today.
The plight of women in India can be summed up in the words of Rabindranath Tagore : "O Lord Why have you not given woman the right to conquer her destiny?
Why does she have to wait head bowed? By the roadside, waiting with tired patience, Hoping for a miracle in the morrow?" It is pertinent to remember that women are not to be treated as slaves. Irrespective of Gender a person is not an object upon which property rights can be obtained, especially so in the case of a women. He or She is a body possessing his/her own individual rights. A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf (1929): This essay examines the question of whether a woman is capable of producing work on par with Shakespeare. Woolf asserts that “a woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction.” Gender Trouble by Judith Butler (1990): Influential in feminist and queer theory, this book introduces the concept of ‘gender performativity’ which essentially means, your behaviour creates your gender. The Female Eunuch by Germaine Greer (1970): Greer makes the argument that women have been cut off from their sexuality through (a male conceived) consumer society-produced notion of the ‘normal’ woman.
The Project seeks to answer the following questions:
out that in most cultures throughout history men have received more opportunities than women.^1 Feminism refers to a diverse variety of beliefs, ideas, movements, and agendas for action. The usual and most basic definition of feminism is that it is the belief that women should be equal to men and now aren't, and that it is also any actions, especially organized, that promote women's rights to move towards equality with men. Feminism addresses economic, social, political and cultural disparities of power and rights. Feminism consists of ideas and beliefs about what culture is like for women just because they are women, compared to what the world is like for men just because they are men. In ethical terms, this form or aspect of feminism is descriptive. The assumption in feminism is that women are not treated equally to men, and that women are disadvantaged in comparison to men. Feminism also includes ideas and beliefs about how culture can be and should be different- goals, ideals, visions. In ethical terms, this form or aspect of feminism is prescriptive. Feminism includes ideas and beliefs about the importance and value of moving from a statement of commitment to behaviour and action to produce that change. Feminism also refers to a movement a collection of loosely connected groups and individuals committed to organized action, including changes in behaviour of members of the movement and persuasion of others outside the movement to make change.^2 In other words, feminism describes a culture in which women, because they are women, are treated differently than men, and that, in that difference of treatment, women are at a disadvantage; feminism assumes that such treatment is cultural and thus possible to change and not simply "the way the world is and must be"; feminism looks to a different culture as possible, and values moving towards that culture; and feminism consists of activism, 1 http://study.com/academy/lesson/feminism-types-and-definitions-liberal-socialist- culture-radical.html last accessed on 14th September 2016 10:18 pm. 2 http://womenshistory.about.com/od/feminism/a/feminism.htm last accessed on 14th September 2016 9:50 pm.
individually and in groups, to make personal and social change towards that more desirable culture.
While it is common to see the word "feminism" used for figures such as Mary Wollstonecraft (1759 - 1797), the word was not around that early. The term first appeared in French as féminisme in the 1870s, though there is speculation it was used before then. The meaning of it then was women's freedom or emancipation. Hubertine Auclert used the term féministe about herself and others working for women's freedom, as the description of individuals, in
Feminism as a set of beliefs and commitment to action has intersected with various economic and political beliefs, generating some different paths of feminism. Among these are socialist feminism, Marxist feminism, liberal feminism, bourgeois feminism, individualist feminism, cultural feminism, social feminism, radical feminism, ecofeminism, and so forth.
Marxist Feminism was also called as Materialistic Feminism.^4 Marxist Feminism refers to a particular feminist theory focusing on the ways in which women are oppressed through capitalist economic practices and the system of private property. According to this theory, 3 http://womenshistory.about.com/od/feminism/a/feminism.htm last accessed on 14th September 2016 9:52 pm. 4 www.colorado.edu/Sociology/gimenez/work/rphil.html last accessed on 14th September 2016 10:25 pm.
partnership, and more male involvement in child care. Abortion and other reproductive rights have to do with control of one's life choices and autonomy.
Radical feminism is a perspective within feminism that calls for a radical reordering of society in which male supremacy is eliminated in all social and economic contexts. Radical feminists seek to abolish patriarchy by challenging existing social norms and institutions, rather than through a purely political process. This includes challenging the notion of traditional gender roles, opposing the sexual objectification of women, and raising public awareness about such issues as rape and violence against women.^8 Radical Feminists see that our oppression as females is closely linked to and bound up in our roles as the bearers of new life and male hatred of our female reproductive power. Radical Feminists take an unequivocal stance on the right to female reproductive justice. Radical Feminism increasingly recognises that females from different oppressed groups experience a combination of oppressions. Class, race and disability have systematic structural impacts on different women's lives in different toxic combinations. Radical Feminists believe in an autonomous women's movement as the path to women's liberation. We believe in the importance of female only spaces where theory and action is developed from the lived reality of females who have been socialised into womanhood^9. Radical feminists locate the root cause of women's oppression in patriarchal gender relations, as opposed to legal systems or class conflict^10.
8 http://www.radfemcollective.org/what-is-radical-feminism/ last accessed on 14th September 2016 11:15 pm. 9 Womanhood either refers to the state or condition of being an adult woman and no longer a girl or refers to the distinguishing character or qualities of a woman or of womankind. 10 Class conflict, frequently referred to as class warfare or class struggle, is the tension or antagonism which exists in society due to competing socioeconomic interests and desires between people of different classes.
Socialist feminism is a branch of feminism that focuses upon both the public and private spheres of a woman's life and argues that liberation can only be achieved by working to end both the economic and cultural sources of women's oppression.^11 Socialist feminism is a two- pronged theory that broadens Marxist feminism's argument for the role of capitalism in the oppression of women and radical feminism's theory of the role of gender and the patriarchy. Socialist feminists reject radical feminism's main claim that patriarchy is the only or primary source of oppression of women.^12 Rather, socialist feminists assert that women are unable to be free due to their financial dependence on males in society. Women are subjects to the male rulers in capitalism due to an uneven balance in wealth. They see economic dependence as the driving force of women's subjugation to men. Further, socialist feminists see women's liberation as a necessary part of larger quest for social, economic and political justice.
Ecofeminism is a movement that sees a connection between the exploitation and degradation of the natural world and the subordination and oppression of women.^13 Its name was coined by French feminist Françoise d’Eaubonne in 1974.^14 Ecofeminism adds both a commitment to the environment and an awareness of the associations made between women and nature. Specifically, this philosophy emphasizes the ways both nature and women are treated by patriarchal (or male-centred) society^15.
11 http://www.feministezine.com/feminist/modern/Socialist-Feminism.html last accessed on 14th September 2016 11:25 pm. 12 Buchanan, Ian. "Socialist Feminism." A Dictionary of Critical Theory. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. 13 Mies, Maria, Introduction to Ecofeminism, 1993. 14 https://www.britannica.com/topic/ecofeminism last accessed on 14th September 2016 11:47 pm. 15 A patriarchal society consists of a male-dominated power structure throughout organized society and in individual relationships. The concept of patriarchy has been central to many feminist theories. When modern historians and sociologists describe a "patriarchal society," they mean that men hold the positions of power: head of the family unit, leaders of social groups, boss in the workplace and heads of government.
or lower caste women. This has led to the creation of caste-specific feminist organisations and movements.^21
According to Prof. Maitrayee Chaudhuri^22 , unlike the Western feminist movement, India's feminist movement was initiated by men, and later joined by women. But feminism as an initiative by women started independently a little later in Maharashtra by pioneering advocates of women's rights and education, Savitribai Phule^23 , who started the first school for girls in India,^2425 Tarabai Shinde^26 who wrote India's first feminist text, and Pandita Ramabai^27 who criticized patriarchy and caste-system in Hinduism, married outside her caste and converted to Christianity. The efforts of Bengali reformers included abolishing sati, which was a widow's death by burning on her husband's funeral pyre, abolishing the custom of child marriage, abolishing the disfiguring of widows, introducing the marriage of upper caste Hindu widows, promoting women's education, obtaining legal rights for women to own property, and requiring the law to acknowledge women's status by granting them basic rights in matters such as adoption.^28 The 19th century was the period that saw a majority of women's issues come under the spotlight and reforms began to be made. Much of the early reforms for Indian women were 21 Gangoli, Geetanjali. Indian Feminisms – Law, Patriarchies and Violence in India. Hampshire: Ashgate Publishing Limited, 2007. Print; pages 10–12. 22 Prof. Maitrayee Chaudhuri was the Director of the Women’s Studies Programme (2006-
conducted by men. However, by the late 19th century they were joined in their efforts by their wives, sisters, daughters, protegees and other individuals directly affected by campaigns such as those carried out for women's education. By the late 20th century, women gained greater autonomy through the formation of independent women's own organisations. By the late thirties and forties a new narrative began to be constructed regarding "women's activism". This was newly researched and expanded with the vision to create 'logical' and organic links between feminism and Marxism, as well as with anti-communalism and anti-casteism, etc. The Constitution of India did guarantee 'equality between the sexes' , which created a relative lull in women's movements until the 1970s.^29 During the formative years of women's rights movements, the difference between the sexes was more or less taken for granted in that their roles, functions, aims and desires were different. As a result, they were not only to be reared differently but treated differently also. Over the course of time, this difference itself became a major reason for initiating women's movements. Early 19th century reformers argued that the difference between men and women was no reason for the subjection of women in society. However, later reformers were of the opinion that indeed it was this particular difference that subjugated women to their roles in society, for example, as mothers. Therefore, there was a need for the proper care of women's rights. With the formation of women's organisations and their own participation in campaigns, their roles as mothers was again stressed but in a different light: this time the argument was for women's rights to speech, education and emancipation. However, the image of women with the mother as a symbol underwent changes over time.^30
In the Hindu religion, there has been partial success in terms of gender equality reform laws and family law. While this is a major advancement relative to other religions in India, it is still not a complete triumph in terms of feminism and relieving oppression.^31 Gandhi came 29 Kumar, Radha. The History of Doing, Kali for Women, New Delhi, 1998. 30 Kumar, Radha. The History of Doing, Kali for Women, New Delhi, 1998. 31 Narain, Vrinda. Reclaiming the nation: Muslim women and the law in India. Toronto [Ont.]: University of Toronto, 2008.
to pay her a monthly maintenance allowance. This caused chaos amongst the Muslim clerics who denounced the judgement and suggested that their religion, Islam was under attack in the country. In a fear of losing overall Muslim support, Rajiv succumbed to the pressures of the Conservative Moulvis from Muslims community and his own party and backed the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Bill which restricts alimony for Muslim Women only for 90 days after divorce. This caused an outcry from Muslim feminists and Hindu nationalists who found the appeasement of Muslim males by the Congress for political purposes wrong and opportunistic.^37 Feminism was challenged by various minority groups for not entirely addressing the needs of minority populations. This led to the formation of the Awaaz-e-Niswaan (The Voice of Women)^38 in 1987 in Mumbai in largely Muslim part of the city. The Muslim community has personal laws that often were considered harmful to the rights of Muslim women. The Muslim personal law allows Polygyny^39 but not Polyandry^40.
Meaning of Feminism – The global idea of feminism refers to the belief that men and women deserve equality in all opportunities, treatment, respect, and social rights. Origin of Feminism – The term ‘feminism’ first appeared in French as ‘féminisme’ in the 1870s; though there is speculation it was used before then. Types of Feminism – The major types of feminism are – Marxist Feminism, Liberal Feminism, Radical Feminism, Socialist Feminism and Ecofeminism. Feminism in Developing Societies – Feminism in developing societies like India is a set of movements aimed at defining, establishing, and defending equal political, economic, and social rights and equal opportunities for women. India's feminist movement was initiated by men, and later joined by women. But feminism as an 37 Citation: JT 2005 (6) SC 266. 38 Aawaaz-e-Niswaan (voice of women) is a vibrant feminist collective of students, academicians, activists from the women’s movement and women who daily confront violations of their rights and evolve strategies to combat them. 39 Polygyny is the practice of having more than one wife at the same time. The Muslim law allows polygyny it is practiced by the Muslims. 40 Polyandry is the practice of having more than one husband at the same time. The Muslim law allows polygyny but not polyandry.
initiative by women started independently a little later in Maharashtra by pioneering advocates of women's rights and education like Savitribai Phule, Tarabai Shinde and Pandita Ramabai.
“Women empowerment” and “women equality with men” is a universal issue. Delivering multiple roles effortlessly every single day, women are undoubtedly the backbone of any society. Doting daughters, caring mothers, competent colleagues and a wide range of many other roles are played by women around us flawlessly and with grace. However, they’ve also been an ignored fraction of the society in many parts of the world. This, in turn, has caused women at large to bear the brunt of inequality, oppression, financial dependability and other social evils. For centuries now, women have been living under bondage that restricts them from achieving professional as well as personal heights.
