Introduction and Demographics
India is the second most populous country in the world with over 1.33 billion residents. The Indian census does not collect data on race or ethnicity. However, the CIA World Factbook predicts that the population is comprised of 72% Indo-Aryan people, 25% Dravidian, and 3% Mongoloid and other races. In terms of religion, 79.8% of the population is Hindu,14.2% is Muslim, 2.3% is Christian, 1.7% is Sikh, the other 2% is unspecified. India is also home to two of the most populous cities in the world; Delhi is the second biggest with 29.3 million residents, and Mumbai is the eighth biggest with 20.1 million residents. 71% of the population is literate. However, only 60% of women can read and write while 81% of men are literate. This gender imbalance has propelled women’s rights activism in India.
Impact of the State and Culture on Women’s Movements
According to the 2018 Thomas Reuters Foundation survey, India is the most dangerous country in the world for women (The Guardian 2018). Even though India’s constitution provides women freedom and rights over their own bodies, these laws have clearly not protected young women from child marriage, prostitution, and rape. After this report came out, people from the country began to reconsider the ways in which women are actually treated despite what the law says. Most of the population denies that women feel in danger when they are out in public. However, there has been a rise of activism in the country. For example, the human rights group, Rashtriya Garima Abhiyan, organized the Dignity March in New Delhi at the beginning of this year (Inter Press Service 2019). Such events are opportunities for women and children to speak out against sexual abuse. Other areas of women’s activism in India include environmental justice such as Vandana Shiva’s Seeds of Freedom campaign (http://www.vandanashiva.com/), and SEWA (Self-Employed Women’s Association), a trade union of women who earn their living through their own labor and small businesses (http://www.sewa.org/).
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/02/india-most-dangerous-country-women-survey
Country’s Relationship with the West
The relationship between India and the West has been difficult and quite complex. In particular, globalization and colonial powers have deeply impacted Indian’s natural resources and economic growth. Indian women have taken the lead to challenge such colonial power. For instance, in Staying Alive Dr. Vandana Shiva notes that like many developing nations, India has abandoned styles of governing in favor of Western style market reforms. India’s push toward economic globalization has come with many negative consequences and has ultimately led to a flattening of local traditions and cultures. A worldwide recognized environmentalist, Shiva argues that U.S. corporations make claims on “life forms,” “biodiversity,” and “innovations of other cultures,” by applying patents to them. The idea that Western dominance can colonize even seeds, leaving farmers with no option but to buy them from the large corporations is a profound environmental injustice. Thousands of Indian farmers commit suicide when facing their inability to pay for seeds. Stealing not only seeds but knowledge illustrates the power and negative impact of globalization and corporations in countries like India. Regardless, Indian women continue to fight back for social and environmental justice.
Colonial and Post-Colonial Experiences
European powers came to India in the 17th century due to trading rivalries. They set up trading posts all along the coast, and Indian states/rulers were soon subject to manipulation by the Europeans. Great Britain came to dominate the Indian subcontinent in the late 18th-19th century using direct military intervention to edge out the French. India was considered to be Britain’s most important colony in Asia, and it fell under full, formal, direct British rule in 1858. During this colonial period, Indian colonial subjects suffered from poverty, malnutrition, disease, cultural upheaval, economic exploitation, political disadvantage, and systematic programs perpetuating a sense of social/racial inferiority. In its postcolonial state, India is still affected by these lingering problems. For example, lower levels of access to schools, health centers, and roads have been recorded in recent years. India is still building their state and grappling with issues of federalism, pluralism, and a fair apportionment of resources and opportunities.
https://tribune.com.pk/story/1167827/challenges-facing-post-colonial-societies/
Political and Economic Context
India is the most populous democracy in the world. According to The World Bank, Indian economy has been growing rapidly. In 2017 its current gross domestic product was 2.597 trillion US dollars, with an annual change of 6.6%. While the economy has been improving, there is still a large issue with poverty in the country. In 2011, The World Bank reported that 21.2% of its population were living close to extreme poverty at $1.90 a day. Even though there has been large economic policy changes, women related issues, such as gender discrimination, are still neglected by the State despite the urgency to address them. According to Statista reports, in 2016 there were over 9,00 cases of reported sexual assault against women, with almost 40,000 rape cases reported from 2005 to 2016.
“DataBank.” DataBank, databank.worldbank.org/.
“Women in India.” Shibboleth Authentication Request, www-statista-com.libproxy.kenyon.edu/study/61366/women-in-india/.
“India: Economic and Political Outline.” Santandertrade.com, 2019, en.portal.santandertrade.com/analyse-markets/india/economic-political-outline.
