The socio-religious reform movements tried to achieve the objective of emancipation of women and extension of equal rights to them. Discuss.

Women movement pre Independence were indeed led by men in the form of socio-religious reform movement around 19th century.

They aimed at achieving equal rights for women in form of

• Access to education
• right to parental property

Iswar chandra vidya sagar, Jyotiba Phule advocated for such rights. Moreover emancipation of women from evils like:

• Sati
• child marraige
• denial of widow remarriage

was also the agenda for socio reform movement. It was led by Raja Ram Mohan Roy, D K Karve, Malabari, etc.

In later phases, leaders like Usha Mehta, Sarojini Naidu demanded for equal franchise for women. thus the benchmark or foundation for later phases of women movement was provided by socio-reform movement of 19th century.