Gender equality and social movements - A sociological perspective

India was colonial state and women¿s rights were not a matter of concern for the British rulers who were busy negotiating with the independence movement of India. During the mid 20th Century India was going through a political revolution which did not have anything to do with women¿s rights. India was a nation which had deep routed cultural traditions. Many of these traditions were of a religious nature such as the concept of Dowry, Sati, female circumcision, and above all women were the property of men and men had freedom to treat their women in any way they wished to do so. The women¿s movement in India has a long and rich history in which millions of women Live, work and struggle to survive in order to remake their family, home and social lives. Whether fighting for safe contraception, literacy, water and electricity or resisting sexual harassment, they are participating in vibrant and active women s movements that are thriving in many parts of India today. Gender inequality affects every aspect of culture and society. Its effect is most prominent in family structure, the education system and the economy. Just like social class systems, gender is a structural feature of society