EDUCATING AND ORGANISING WOMEN

Advance Sisters!

The Annual Report of the Queen Mary’s College for the year 1928-29 gives the following figures of students:

Europeans 19; Anglo-Indians 24; Indian Christians 49; Brahmins 86; Non-Brahmins 48; Mohammedans 8; and Parse 1.

Though the total number of students may not be appreciably great, due to the causes referred to by the principal, we feel it our duty to point out the overbearing importance of the number of students from each community. We are glad beyond measure that there are eight students from the Muhammadian community in spite of the rigorous rules of pardha. We long to see the day when our Muhammadian sisters will prove themselves worthy of their co-religionists in Turkey and follow the noble and courageous example set by them. Next we would be failing in our duty if we omit to mention the greater strength of the Non-brahmins over the Brahmins. Though the number may be proportionately a small one, we feel it a pride to see the happy augury that pushes us on in our onward march to the goal of individual freedom and equal justice. We wish the Non-brahmins a quicker pace and a bolder march. And we wish in general, a more rapid growth in the strength of girls taking to higher education, who could only win their emancipation from the coils of the greedy man.

Revolt, 25 August 1929

Education of Muslim Girls – A Lecture

The Seventh anniversary of the Baith-ul-Thulba (Students’ Home), was held on Saturday last in the Muslim High School Hall, Triplicane, Miss De La Hey, Principal, Queen Mary’s College, presiding.

Mrs. Henseman, who next delivered the annual address on “Education of Muslim Girls”, in the course of her speech, pointed out that three per cent of the girls of the Muslim community attended primary schools, while the percentage of the Hindu girls was only 2.5. Hence, so far as elementary education was concerned, the Muslim girls attended in a majority, but only in the matter of higher education, probably owing to pardah system, their community was far behind other communities. Now that the first girl among them had taken up her degree, it was up to them to realize the need for educating their girls and not to let go the opportunities that were afforded to them.

After reading a paper on the subject by an eminent Muslim lady of Bengal, the lecturer proceeded to say that the world, as they saw it, was good enough to live in, but it ought to be their endeavor to leave the world better than it was. Education of women was a pressing question all over India, and when the whole nation was advancing in the matter of female education, she did not know why one particular community, should lag behind. There were several great women among them, and given proper opportunities, they would shine in the world.

The president in the course of her concluding speech, said that she would not see how any community or nation could progress, while the one half of its was lagging behind. She did not suggest that all the girls of the community should take degrees, but she thought that the education was quite essential.

Then again, if they wanted their girls to be educated by ladies of their own community, it was necessary that at least some of them, to begin with, ought to receive higher education. Referring to the comments of certain persons on the position of women, in the West, much of the philanthropic and unselfish work was done by women there. It was rather too late in the day to suggest that they ought not to go forward. If they wanted India to take her right place in the nations of the world, they ought to educate their women. She requested some of the best among the community to come forward and give them a lead at this time.

Revolt, 10 November 1929

Women’s College in Benares

The Women’s Collage in the Benares Hindu University is a very useful institution. The University is being two square miles there is adequate room for extension for all institutions there. The whole university is situated at a distance from the city. The Women’s College and hostel occupy a distinct section of the University, though there is not the least difficulty for the girl students to take part in all the activities of the University. No purdah is observed. Unmarried Hindu girls of 17 and upwards from all provinces of India receive education here. Girl students of the B.A., B.Sc., M.A. and M.Sc. classes attend the same lectures as the young men preparing for these degrees, the arrangements being co-educational. There are separate teaching arrangements for the girls only for the Intermediate classes.

Though there are arrangements for the separate messing of girls of different castes, most of them have their food cooked in the same dining hall. They do not generally even care to inquire about one another’s caste.

Facilities are given to the girls to play different games. We think arrangements would be made to teach them lathi play and similar arts of defence. We understand that Pundit Madan Mohan Malaviya, the Vice-Chancellor of the Hindu University, has in contemplation the laying down of a long riding track for the use of the girl students of his University, so that they may become expert horse-women. There is ample room for such a course. We hope the pundit’s idea will soon materialize.

The students of the Women’s College do not have to pay any tuition fees, the teaching being entirely free. Besides this, an endowment by Mr. Ghansyam Das Birla enables twenty-two students to have free board also. No girl residing in the hostel attached to the College has to pay any room rent. Lodging and tuition are thus free for all.

–The Welfare.

Revolt, 10 November 1929

All-Kerala Hindu Women’s Conference

The following is an extract from the presidential address of Mrs. Kallianikutty Amma, wife of the Senior Raja of Nilambur at the All-Kerala Hindu women’s conference held at Thirunavaly:

The President in the course of her address dwelt on the deplorable condition of the Hindu society in Kerala today and pointed out that it was the duty of the women of Kerala to find out ways and means for remedying the same. The condition of the women of the Nambudiri community which in point of social position and wealth, occupied the first rank in Kerala was most deplorable. It was encouraging however to find from the proceedings of the “Yogakshemam” sabha, which was the premier association of the community, that the young men and women were realizing the necessity for coming forward and putting a stop to this state of affairs. If in point of social position and wealth, it was the Nambudiri community which stood first in numbers and actual strength, it was the Nair community that took the first place in intellect. They were the rulers and leaders of Kerala in former days. Their women enjoyed a freedom which was unknown till recently to even the most advanced people of Europe. But owing to their tendency to imitate the customs of the Brahmins and other causes, the condition of the Nairs and particularly of their women had degenerated. Today there were families whose women were forbidden to marry any but the members of the Brahmin caste. The position of the Nair women had degenerated so much that numbers of them could be seen even in the most distant parts of India eking out an existence in the most miserable manner. A good deal could be done to remedy this state of affairs by providing employment through the agency of co-operative societies to the poorer among them. She then criticized the practice of untouchability and urged upon her sisters to pledge themselves not to be inactive, but to work for the amelioration of their lot. She pleaded strongly for throwing open the temples to all Hindus without distinction of caste or creed. She concluded her speech, arguing the necessity for the spread of education and for providing facilities to the children of the depressed classes, to join the schools and receive education along with the children of the other castes.

Revolt, 8 May 1929

Nambudri Women Revolt

The Nambudiri women, who are the sole victims of the Purdha system in Kerala have just commenced their campaign for self expression and advancement as is evidenced by their open letter to the lady Member of the Cochin Legislative Council. The memorandum, while dwelling upon the innumerable decrees of their society which are inexorable, laments their lack of education and want of freedom to act according to their likes in the matter of marriage and other personal issues, and request the lady member to take up their cause within the Council and proceed on sure and sound lines by initiating legislative measures for ensuring their steady progress through ordered lines. The memorandum is important in that it is the first of its kind, to be issued by the Nambudiri “andharjanams” (that is, those who are meant to be indoors – editors).

Revolt, 5 June 1929

Devanga Ladies Conference, Coimbatore

A conference of the Devanga ladies was held on the 2^nd instant at Sharada Girls’ School, Coimbatore. Mrs. K. V. Lakshmi Devi Ammal of Bangalore presided. Mrs. Lalitha Balasundaram (Member, District Educational Council), the Chairwoman of the Reception Committee read the welcome address in which she emphasised the necessity of female education, house keeping, nursing etc. She also held that the age of consent for boys and girls should be 20 and 15 respectively and marriages should be conducted in the most economical manner possible.

Mrs. Lakshmidevi ,the President of the Conference then delivered her presidential address, in the course of which she advised the ladies to take care of their household properly, and educate their children. She also fixed the age of consent for girls at 15, and condemned early and child marriages.

The following are the resolutions passed at the Ladies Conference:

1)       Each girl should read at least up to the secondary class.

2)       The Government be requested to grant scholarships to deserving poor girls for prosecuting higher education.

3)       Girls should be married only after the age of 15 or 16.

4)       The parents should marry their daughters only after their consent to marry the selected bridegrooms.

5)       The conference condemns bigamy among men

6)       Young windows should remarry and they should be given equal status in society.

7)       Widows should have right over their husbands’ property

8)      Girls should have equal right of share in their father’s property.

9)      There should be inter-marriages among the various sub-castes of the Devanga community.

Revolt, 5, June 1929

Ceylon Youth Conference: Presidential Address

The following is an extract of the presidential address delivered by Mrs. Rukmini Lakshmipathi, B.A., at the All Ceylon Indian Youth’s Conference held at Kandy on the 7^th July :-

In the march of world events the one outstanding phenomenon which catches the human eye and greets us everywhere is the Renaissance of youth. It is chiefly characterized by a feeling of impatience to destroy the old order of society on the one hand and to reconstruct a new one on more humanitarian and patriotic foundation on the other. Justice and righteousness and equal opportunities for all have become the watchwords of youth and Rousseau’s famous dictum that man is born free, is an article of faith with youths. Their mission in life is to serve humanity so as to enable it to live a richer and fuller life. They are as much the builders of tomorrow as they are the pillars of society. The youth movement in all lands has become a recognized reality and not without cultivating a broad and balanced outlook could the youths hope to fulfill this mission in life. The motive force behind the movement is the spirit of renunciation and self-sacrifice.

When the Youths of Italy once asked Garibaldi what reward they were going to have for their trouble, he replied that hunger, starvation and pain shall be their recompense. What is essential for a youth is to utilize his enthusiasm for solid constructive work, never once losing sight of the central fact that he is a great creative force. Goethe says,” We must be young to do great things”. What humanity is striving to achieve is to bring about a creative revolution, a revolution’ which will teach respect for all things as are just, true and honest and which will result in creating a profound sense of reverence for life.Youths are the trustees of posterity and they have a great function to discharge. With a rich heritage behind them they must needs dedicate themselves to the service of the motherland.

At this crucial and psychological period of India’s history a thorough overhauling of things is an imperative necessity and many a genuine attempt is being made to reshape society at its base. A more sturdy and courageous generation is required to fulfill to perfection the aims and objects of the new movement. What is needed now is a radical revolution, affecting all aspects of life which will rid the country of the thousand and one evils it is suffering from socially and politically. Weak and disorganized as we are, and full of internal communal squabbles and other disruptive elements and above all suffering under foreign bondage for years, the Youth Movement cannot be more welcome anywhere than in India and hence the responsibility of the Indian Youths is heavier. Youths have got their own problems to solve no less important than the urgent and pressing political problems of the day. They have to safeguard their interests as against the inroads of the elders. Such questions of an all absorbing nature as untouchability, prohibition, forced labour, child marriage, abolition of caste system, women’s education, physical culture, rural reconstruction, Swadeshi and co-operation are matters of serious consideration for Youths. Only Young India can offer the right solution for all these problems. The youths have to take a definite lead in these matters, particularly regarding a firm resolve not to marry undeveloped immature girls of tender age.

There are many urgent social problems which have to be tackled by the younger generation. No other country in the world suffers more from self-inflicted evils than India. Unspeakable social evils like child marriage, enforced child-widowhood, untouchability, drink, ignorance, insanitation, unemployment and soul-killing poverty, the institution of Devadasi system and their dedication to temples, caste system in all its rigidity have established themselves in our midst and these have to be uprooted by State legislation wherever necessary. The cry of ‘religion in danger‘ is raised by the orthodox people too often. Orthodox opinion as usual has not scrupled to attack beneficial measures like Rai Sahib Harbilas Sarda’s Child Marriage Prevention Bill and the Age of Consent Bill now on the anvil of the Indian Legislature. Here is the splendid opportunity for youths to vindicate themselves by helping to create a favourable public opinion for the enactment and successful working of these and other kinds of social legislation.

The feminist movement

The Feminist movement in India is the outcome of the awakening that has taken place among the womanhood in Asia. The longing for emancipation is perceptible in countries from Turkey in the West to Japan in the Far East. Through their own initiative and through the surging desire for self-expression woman have made bold to break down all those irrational, unequal and meaningless customs which kept them in subjection. It is difficult to realize the amount of feeling and the amount of activity with which women of different countries are working to do away with these shackles. The political and social fabric of China, stationary for over 2000 years has within the last few decades changed wonderfully and that too beyond recognition. In China, the new spirit among women rebelled against the practice of binding their feet in close fitting shoes. Elsewhere, women have revolted against the tyranny of the evil and purdah. In our own country, educated women are waging relentless war against the inhuman customs of child marriage and enforced widowhood. In countries like Turkey, Persia and Burma, women have shown signs of self-assertion. It is extremely unfortunate that the attempts of Queen Souriya and King Amanuallah to bring about a social regeneration in Afghanistan should have received a set back (see below pp. 582-591). The ideas set in motion by them can never perish and are bound to influence the Afghans in the long run. The women of Japan are the most progressive minded in the East and thousands of Japanese women, working in factories are organizing themselves into Women’s Trade Unions. Even in the administration of the temples, the Japanese women have gained a voice because the Buddhist priests have removed all sex disabilities and have allowed them the right to participate in all the details of temple worship.

It is a happy sign of the time that the Indian women have already attained the power of national expression. The grant of franchise to Indian women has made it possible for them to agitate for further political rights, to secure greater educational facilities and to obtain more social amenities and to remove all kinds of disabilities standing in their way. Indian women have began to ask for better inheritance laws and are agitating for the abolition of unequal civil laws. They are demanding divorce laws even. In fact a bill to provide better inheritance laws is being drafted by Rai Saheb Harbilas Sarda while a Divorce Bill is being sponsored by Sir Hari Singh Gour. As regards legislation in social matters, the government is making a fetish of its policy of non-intervention and the orthodox people are making capital out of it. Huge social injustices are perpetrated thereby. It is the primary duty of an enlightened government to assist in the inauguration of all healthy reforms.

Friends, in concluding, I wish to appeal to you to think in terms of the country as a whole, to set aside personal considerations and to work for the common weal. Never forget for a moment that all of you have a part to play, whether big or small in the great work of nation building. And in a spirit of selfless sacrifice, consecrate your strength, energy and capacity for the fulfillment of the noble task. May you all march forward with a fearless mind on the road taken by heroes and leave the shadows of the past far far behind you.

Revolt, 14 July 1929

Women’s Social Conference Resolutions

We give below the resolutions passed at the 4^th Madras Constituent Conference of Women on Education and Social Reform held on the 16^th and 17^th November at “Wellington,” Madras, under the presidency of Mrs. Srinivasa Iyangar:

1. This Conference of Women thanks Rai Sahib Harbilas Sarda for his patriotic labour in the cause of Indian womanhood and expresses its gratitude to the Government and to all those who gave their wholehearted support to such a humanitarian measure as the Child Marriage Restraint Act.
2. This meeting while emphatically condemning the devitalizing custom of allowing immature girls to become mothers demands that the legal age of marriage for girls be made 16 and for boys 21 and requests Sir Hari Singh Gour to amend his Bill which is now before the Asembly in accordance with the Report of the Age of Consent Committee.
3. This Conference calls on the Government to establish system of compulsory registration of births and marriages throughout the country as an essential condition for enforcing the Child Marriage Restraint Act.
4. This Conference calls on women to start Vigilance Committees throughout the country to help in carrying out the Act.
5. This Conference condemns the sordid custom of buying bridegrooms for girls.
6. This meeting believes that in the interest of the physique of the nation all schemes for promoting the welfare of expectant and nursing mothers should be the first charge on Public Finance. Legislative enactments like the Maternity and Child Welfare Acts of other countries should be passed in India as soon as possible.
7. The meeting condemns the custom of enforced seclusion of women known as the purdah system and entreats all Hindus and Mahomedans who observe the custom to abolish it immediately.
8. This Conference asserts its emphatic adherence to the principle of civic equality for men and women and strongly recommends the abolition of all inequalities in the matter of marriage laws and rights of adoption and guardianship of children and inheritance of property.
9. This Conference of women demands that there should be the same standard of sex morality for men and women; women claim equal rights of legal separation and demand the introduction of an equal divorce law for both men and women.
10. This Conference of women strongly condemns the continuation of the Devadasi system in the Hindu Temples and appeals to the Government, to the Hindu Religious Endowment Board, to the temple committees and to the trustees, to prohibit the ceremony of dedication of minor or major girls within the premises of any temple or of any other place of worship and accords its whole hearted support to the Prevention of Dedications Bill by Dr. (Mrs) S. Muthulakshmi Reddi.
11. This conference of women calls upon the local legislature and the Government to enact the Brothel Bill into law on the lines drafted by the Madras Vigilance Association, with ample provision by the State for the moral and mental training of the minor girls up to the age of 21 on the lines of the Madras Borstal School system.
12. This Conference of women calls upon the local legislature and the Government to amend the Madras Children’s Act in the light of legislation that exits in other provinces and in other civilized countries for the protection of children and minor girls and strongly urges that the Madras Children’s Aid Society and other certified  schools in the presidency should be liberally financed, that a children’s court should be immediately established and experienced trained women officers should be appointed by the Government to supervise the girls’ homes.
13. (a) This meeting urges the need for women to organize women’s institutes in the districts and villages of this presidency on the model of the Saroj Nalini Dutt Association in Bengal, and calls upon the existing women’s association in the muffasill to open under their auspices, industrial and educational classes for the benefit of the local women and to appoint a committee of women social workers in Madras to give advice and guidance to mufassil women in organizing such institution.  (b) This conference of women calls upon every woman to realise her responsibility to society by undertaking some form of social service such as helping the maternity and child welfare schemes, visiting hospitals, orphanages and prisons, doing honorary educational work, girl guiding, rescue work and suppression of brothels.
14. This conference views with great apprehensions the continuation of the practice of untouchability in India and exhorts Hindus of all classes to remove all restrictions imposed upon the so-called “untouchables” in the matter of admission to schools and hotels, use of public roads, wells, tanks and choultries, and entry into places of worship and thus to bring about a greater solidarity in Hindu society ; and it pledges its full support to such classes for all proper efforts made by them to get rid of these disabilities.
15. This meeting demands that children under 14 should not be employed in factories and workshop, that hours of work for children over 14, and for expectant and nursing mothers should be limited and that schools, crèche, and welfare centers for the children of the labourers should be provided by the employers.
16. This conference views with satisfaction the growth of public opinion in favour of total abstinence and prohibition and is of opinion that the time is ripe for legislation prohibiting the import, manufacture and sale of liquor and of all intoxicating drugs.
17. This conference of women calls upon the organized political parties to put up women candidates at each election.
18. This conference of women of Madras calls upon Central Government and the Provincial Governments to nominate women to the Assembly and the Councils and to reserve a proportionate number of seats for women representatives in the municipal councils and local boards and to resort to nominations only till the District Municipal Act and Local Boards Act are suitably amended.
19. As women are the natural preservers of life, the women of India calls upon all the peoples and governments of the world and particularly the Government of India to outlaw war to promote unity and to maintain peace.

Revolt, 24 November 1929