Book Review: Discourses on Women’s Movement: Theory and Action

Review of Writing the Women’s Movement: A Reader Edited by Mala Khullar; Zuban (in collaboration with EWHA Women’s University Seoul).women's movement, women's studies,feminist, feminist consciousness, transformative politics, family, domestic violence, Sociology, Gender Studies

Different Voices, Divergent Struggles: An Overview of the Contemporary Indian Women's Movement and its Challenges

Some of the historical milestones of the Indian women's movement and some of the challenges for the future are pointed out. Such questions are vital, for the current fluid socio-economic and political conditions (arising out of the changing global power equation, interdependence and identity politics), have posed new challenges to women's struggles. [Chairperson's address on 27-12-07, 4 p.m., Rm. 405, Patkar Hall Bldg., SNDT Women's University].India, women, women's movement

No single path: cultural perspectives in overcoming domestic violence

The presentation by Veena Poonacha, Professor and Director, Research Centre for Women’s Studies, SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai, India, begins by describing the Self Help Groups (SHGs) movement and will subsequently narrate the struggles of the women in a tribal community in the heart of the Dandakaranya forest a thousand miles from where I live in Mumbai to overcome some of their cultural and economic subordination. The struggle was triggered by the life and death of one of their companions called Babulbai. Set against the backdrop of the socio-economic and political changes that have affected the lives of this forest community, this narrative indicates the challenges and hardships faced by the development workers. In the process, I also wish to unravel some of the difficulties encountered in bringing about socio-economic change in the forgotten corners of rural India. For this story takes into account the impact of prolonged economic deprivations and political violence on the indigenous norms of control over women, as the village under study is caught between the crossfire of Maoist insurgency and brutal police repression. It indicates the courage of the indigenous women and the grassroots workers in their collective struggles against the existing patriarchal/class oppression as well as the structures of political intimidation. The narration also indicates how the life and death of an ordinary woman is erased from the living memory of the community through a process of collective denial. It indicates how a conspiracy of silence imposed upon the community by the power elite in the village, forever wipes out the truth about an ordinary woman’s attempt at self-assertion

Empowerment of Women and Social Services: Needs Assessment, Obstacles and Strategies

Ensuing changes in the socio-economic structures and policies have a gender dimension and differentially impact on men and women. Prevailing ideas about gender relationships create an unequal access for women in terms of allocation of resources and entitlements in the family and community. These discriminatory practices make it more difficult for women than men to make the necessary transition to a new economic order. The Government of Maharashtra has made concerted efforts to tackle the problem. The Women's Component Plan, 2003-2004 announces important schemes for women's economic, social and political empowerment. Despite these progressive measures there are several gaps in the service delivery mechanisms, therefore, the benefits and subsidies intended for vulnerable households do not reach them. It is necessary to enhance the autonomy and decisions making powers of the people, particularly women. The Tejaswani Project specifically targets rural women from the marginalized sections of society. Drawing upon their collective strength, the project seeks to build the capacities of rural women from grassroots to enable them to negotiate in their socio-economic spaces.Tejaswini Project, Women's component Plan

The Dance of Ideas: Dialectical Relationship between Feminism and Philosophy

This paper attempts to delineate the dialectical relationship between feminism and philosophy, and begins by tracing the rise of feminist consciousness. This is because ideas do not exist in abstraction, but arise out of specific socio-economic contexts. The author then seeks to elaborate upon some of the internal tensions within feminist discourses.feminism, philosophy, dialectical relationship,feminist consciousness, feminist movement, Gender Studies, Philosophy

Women And Sceince: An Examination Of Women's Access To And Retention In Scentific Careers

Concerned with the question of gender equity in access to and retention in science education and careers, this study has contacted about 149 women scientists and 147 women students across a broad spectrum of institutions in the country. The aim of the study was to delineate the personal and institutional factors that exclude women from science. The study began with a critical examination of some of exclusionary practices within the educational system as well as the scientific institutions. In the current social environment, the reasons why women are not visible in sciences are because of some of the constraints imposed on them by society. These constraints are seen as emerging partly within the social environment (i.e.,the family, caste and kin-group) and partly from the institutional practices/policies.science, technology, subaltern studies, women, education