The women’s questions arose in modern India as a part of the 19th century social reform movement. What were the major issues and debates concerning women in that period ?

Restrictions on women in 19th century :-

1. Sati practise - it was more pronounced in Bengal region where "Dayabhag" law was practised.

2. Purdah system - It was common in Hindus as well as Parsis and Muslims.

3. Child Marriage - women, rather girls were married off early. This was a way of controlling their sexuality.

4. No widow Remarriage - widows suffered from numerous atrocities & were often harassed by their family men.

5. Restrictions on education.

6. Female Foeticide & Infanticide.

With coming of the western Education & rise of Middle class intelligentsia - several Social reform movements emerged which also advocated for women rights.

(1) Brahmo Samaj - established by Raja Ram Mohan Roy, it advocated widow Remarriage, Ban on Sati and no to child marriage. Ishwar chandra vidyasagar was also associated with it. He was an ardent advocate of widow Remarriage.

-> Owing to their efforts, Sati was banned in 1829 and widow Remarriage was legalised in 1856. -> Role of Ishwar Chand vidyasagar

(2) Aligarh Movement - Sir Syed Ahmad Khan advocated for rights of the women. He was against Purdah system and in favour of educating the girls.

-> while no direct impact was seen but in the long run muslim women actively participated in the freedom movement. with Begum Aizaz Rasul as a member of Constituent Assembly.

(3) Rehnumai Mazdyasan Sabha - Dadabhai Naoroji & FN Fusdonji also advocated for women's right to study and against Purdah.

(4) Efforts of individuals like

-> BM Malabari - He was an ardent believer of women's rights and fought for against Child Marriage, female infanticide. owing to his efforts - Age of Consent Act was passed and female infanticide was banned. He also started Seva Sadan for destitute women.

-> Jyotiba Phule & Satyashodhak samaj worked