ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the women’s movement starting from the 19th century till date. It discusses questions raised and women’s participation in the social reform movement and the nationalist movement during the colonial period. It categorises the nationalist women’s movement into two forms: the reform-oriented nationalist women’s movement and the radical nationalist women’s movement. It also discusses the women’s movement in the post-independence period. The contemporary women’s movement is elaborated further since the beginning from the 1970s towards rising issues such as dowry, rape, sex-selective abortion, rape and sexual harassment at workplace. The chapter specifically discusses the environmental movement and ecofeminism. The women’s movement is critically analysed, and the conclusion is drawn highlighting how the movements remained diffracted yet successful in bringing several legal measures towards ensuring rights of women in India.
