About the Book

Feminist Issues in Gandhian Thought outlines key strategic goals for feminist emancipation and a transformative agenda. Gandhi questioned and challenged the historical systems based on gender inequality, discriminatory customs and prejudices that have rendered Indian women’s lives deplorable. Politics and social life have long been associated with masculinity, rooted in patriarchy, power relations, coercion, domination and above all violence. This has resulted in exclusion, invisibility and a glass ceiling that deprives women of social recognition, equal opportunity, value and dignity. Gandhi not only emphasized feminist issues in his thought and practice but also made significant contributions to raising social consciousness about the necessity for change. He sought to improve women’s positions not just through preaching but by actively working to abolish social evils. He deconstructed age-old social taboos and irrational practices, paving the way for greater gender equality.

Gandhi aimed at creating an egalitarian society and advocated a strategy to achieve that ideal through non-violent means. To quote Gandhi, “I passionately desire the utmost freedom for our women. The domestic slavery of women is the symbol of our barbarism”. His profound thought, depth of perception and clarity of vision on the subject of women make him distinct from others. He was the first activist, to see women’s identity not only in the family but outside domestic space as well. Under Gandhi’s vibrant leadership women actively participated in non-violent Indian freedom struggle with great zeal and commitment. He visualized a framework which provides a qualitative and meaningful change in the direction of freedom, equality and dignity. His ideas in general and feminist ideas in particular can be universally applied in any society and context. This book would interest students, researchers and will appeal to all those interested in Gandhian thought.

Contents

1.     Introduction

2.    Gandhi and Theories of Feminism: An Overview

3.    Gandhi's Ideas on Feminist Issues: Theoretical Aspects

4.    Gandhi's Feminist Ideas: Pragmatic Aspects

5.    Gandhi's Ideas on Brahmacharya: Western and Indian Women Associates

6.    Conclusion

About the Author / Editor

Saroj Malik is presently Professor Emeritus, Department of Political Science, SRM University, Delhi-NCR, Sonipat, Haryana. She obtained her M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Political Science from Kurukshetra University, Haryana. Thereafter she served as a Faculty member in the Department of Political Science in various capacities as Professor, Chairperson and Director of Gandhian Studies at Kurukshetra University until 2010. She has several research papers to her credit and has guided many M.Phil. and Ph.D. scholars. She was UGC Emeritus Fellow during 2013–15.