Gandhi and Women Emancipation

Chapter Outline

Introduction
Gandhi and his notion of Women
Relationship between Gandhi and his Family
Gandhi and Emancipation of Women
The Assesment

Introduction

Gandhi is one of the most remembered leaders of mankind. As a mass communicator he reached and influenced more people than any other leader. He was not only a political leader but touched various corners of human life. Historians have given different explanations about Gandhi’s thoughts regarding women. Gandhi has persistently held the same respectable position as The Champion of Women Emancipation. He has enumerated his ideas and thoughts about women in his book “Women And Social Injustice ”.This book includes all the writings and speeches by Mahatma Gandhi, regarding women and their position in the Indian society. Historians have widely written on Gandhi’s views on various social evils that prevailed in the society and appreciated his efforts of bringing the women in the national movement. Gandhi succeeded in mobilizing women on a mass scale and in motivating them to fight for the country’s liberation. It is true Gandhi did encourage women through his articles in newspapers and his speeches but it has also been observed that Gandhi was very clear about the role the women were supposed to play in the non violent movement. He approved picketing but did not like the idea of women joining the civil protestors. He was of the firm belief that woman’s primary responsibility was taking care of her home and husband. The idea of women becoming economically independent also did not appeal to Gandhi.This article is an effort to explore Gandhi and his thought on Women Emancipation.