GANDHIAN APPROACH TOWARDS WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

ABSTRACT

The status of women in India has been subject to many great changes over the past few millennia. From equal status with men in ancient times, through the low points of the medieval period, to the promotion of equal rights by many reformers. One of them is Mahatma Gandhi. The history of women in India has been eventful. In modern India, women have adorned high offices in India including that of the President, Prime minister, Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Leader of Opposition etc. In fact its credit goes to Mahatma Gandhi. In India he was involved women in Political movement first time of Satyagrah. He worked not only for the political emancipation of the nation, but for liberation of all the suppressed and oppressed sections of society. One of the notes worthy results of his life-work has been the awakening of women. This made them shed their deep-rooted sense of inferiority and rises to dignity and self- esteem. Women, urban and rural, educated and uneducated, Indian and foreign, were attracted to his ideas and deeds. An attempt is made in the present paper to understand Gandhi’s views on women in the context of social, economic and political issues. In this paper discuss on Gandhiji’s thought on women upliftment, against child marriage, social and religious barriers to widow remarriage, purdha system, dowry system, heavy expenditure in connection to marriage, etc. As well as discuss on Gandhiji’s view of women participation in politics. After Gandhi which position of women in India also focus in this paper.

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