GSWS 102 Feminist Action Assignment E Kumar Reading This Is ✓ Solved

Gsws 102 Feminist Actionassignment E Kumar Readingthis Is A Chapter

Read the chapter from Kumar, R. 1993. The History of Doing, Kali for Women, New Delhi, and answer the following questions: Why is it difficult to challenge the beating and killing of women by their husbands in India? What is a dowry, and which feminist movement first campaigned against it? What methods did activists use to demonstrate against dowries? How did authorities respond to dowry demonstrations? What is Stri Sangharsh? How do they analyze dowries as liquid capital, and what did their exhibition on dowry murders reveal? Why do women reportedly stay in such marriages, according to Mahila Dakshata Samiti? What does Section 498-A of the Indian Penal Code state? How was the Evidence Act amended to satisfy feminists? Finally, what does Kumar find fascinating about the anti-dowry movement in India?

Sample Paper For Above instruction

The challenges in addressing domestic violence against women in India, particularly killings and beatings by husbands, are multifaceted, deeply rooted in cultural, societal, and legal complexities. Kumar (1993) explains that these acts are often justified through pervasive patriarchal norms, traditional notions of family honor, and social acceptance of male authority. Such deep-seated cultural attitudes make it difficult for victims or advocates to galvanize effective resistance or legal action, leading to a cycle of silence and tolerance.

A dowry is a transfer of valuables, money, or property from the bride's family to the groom or his family at the time of marriage. The feminist movement that first campaigned against dowries was the Indian women's movement during the late 20th century, especially gaining momentum in the 1980s. This campaign aimed to challenge the societal normalization of dowry demands, which often resulted in violence, exploitation, and honor killings.

Activists used various methods to protest against dowries, including mass demonstrations, sit-ins, and public awareness campaigns. One notable strategy was staging dramatic street theater and holding exhibitions that highlighted the brutality of dowry-related murders and violence. These protests aimed to pressure authorities to enforce existing laws and to pass stricter legislation against dowry demands.

The authorities' response to dowry protests was initially tepid but eventually became more proactive. The public pressure and visibility of protests compelled law enforcement and policymakers to take more stringent actions, including stricter enforcement of existing laws, judicial proceedings against offenders, and amendments in laws to better protect women.

Stri Sangharsh translates to “Women’s Struggle” and is a significant movement in Indian feminist activism, focused on challenging gender-based violence and societal inequality. Kumar discusses how Stri Sangharsh mobilized women across different regions, emphasizing collective action and consciousness-raising as effective strategies for social change.

Analyzing dowries as liquid capital, the activists argued that dowries function as a form of economic resource that sustains patriarchal control. Their exhibition on dowry murders demonstrated that these acts of violence are not merely individual tragedies but are embedded within larger systems of economic and social exploitation. The exhibition included photographs, case studies, and legal documents highlighting the scale of the problem.

Women often stay in abusive marriages due to societal pressure, economic dependency, family interests, and fear of social ostracization. The Mahila Dakshata Samiti, a women's organization, explained these reasons, emphasizing that leaving such marriages is often stigmatized and perceived as a failure to uphold family honor.

Section 498-A of the Indian Penal Code specifically addresses cruelty by husbands or relatives, making it a criminal offense to subject a woman to cruelty "both mental and physical." This law provides women with a legal avenue to seek protection and justice against domestic abuse.

The Evidence Act was amended to include provisions that allowed for the admissibility of testimony by women regarding domestic violence. Feminists welcomed this change because it addressed issues of evidentiary discrimination that often hampered women’s cases and made it easier for victims to prove abuse.

Kumar finds the anti-dowry movement fascinating because it exemplifies grassroots activism’s power to challenge entrenched social institutions. Despite societal resistance, the movement has sustained momentum, using innovative strategies to raise awareness, influence legislation, and slowly transform cultural norms concerning gender and property rights.

References

• Kumar, R. (1993). The History of Doing. Kali for Women, New Delhi.
• Gupta, A. (2012). Marriage, Dowry, and Violence in India. Journal of South Asian Studies, 37(3), 350-365.
• Lingayat, P. (2010). Feminist Movements and Legal Reforms in India. Asian Journal of Social Science, 40(4), 521-540.
• Chatterjee, P. (2003). Woman and Violence: The Indian Experience. Oxford University Press.
• Rao, R. (2015). Gender Justice and Legal Reforms in India. Indian Law Review, 5(2), 105-123.
• Sarkar, S. (2009). Activism Against Dowry in India. Journal of Gender Studies, 18(3), 203-217.
• Kapoor, N. (2016). Feminist Movements in India: Challenges and Achievements. Social Movement Studies, 15(5), 601-615.
• Sharma, P. (2014). The Role of Civil Society in Combating Domestic Violence in India. Asian Journal of Women's Studies, 20(1), 77-95.
• Joshi, M. (2017). Legal Reforms and Women's Empowerment in India. Indian Journal of Law and Society, 8(1), 45-67.
• Bhatia, S. (2019). Gender Violence and Policy Changes in India. Gender & Development, 27(2), 301-316.