ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the characteristics and development of the women's movement, up to the contemporary period. The women's movement has engaged in struggles against right-wing and anti-religious fundamentalist forces and grappled with how to carve out a distinctive position that calls for reform within Personal Laws or the creation of a code which is gender just. The chapter determines what role non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play in the women's movement. It focuses on some government initiatives on the issue of sexual violence and feminist responses to them. The greatest challenge the women's movement faces in addressing sexual violence is deeply entrenched misogynistic attitudes in Indian society. The chapter discusses the existing challenges for the women's movement and ways of addressing them looking ahead. There are many challenges in implementing progressive legislation. With regard to disabled women, the government has included the aggravated nature of violence against disabled women in the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act of 2013.
