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Editor’s Note

THE LEGAL LUMINARY ILLUMINATING

INDIAN SOCIAL MOVEMENT

Themoderntimeshaveusheredinthenoveleraof

socialactivism,allowingindividualstoamplify theirvoicesanddrivechange.Withlegalexpertise andapassionforjustice,womenlawyers,inparticular, haveemergedastorchbearersinthistransformative movementandrisenasthemightyadvocatesforhuman rights,genderequality,andsocialjustice.

Thesewomenlawyersarebreakingbarriers,challengingthe statusquo,andinspiringanothergenerationofactiviststo aidothersincreatingchangebyleveragingthepowerof technologyandsocialmedia.Bydoingso,theytirelessly contributetoshapingamoreequitableandjustsocietyfor all.

Inthisregard,renownedsocialandlegalactivistAdvocate AbhaSinghcontinuestoinspirewithherdedicationto equalityandjustice. President ofthe RannSamar Foundation,sheleadsinitiativesthataimtoaddressthe mostprevalentproblemswithinsociety,suchaswomen’s empowerment,childrights,andenvironmentalactivism.

Withhervastlegalacumen,Singhusesthelawtoempower thevoiceless.Campaignstorootoutcorruptionand inequalityingenderhaveresultedinreshapingpublic

consciousness,makingthenameofthislegalluminarya signiﬁcantpartofthesocialjusticeworldviewinIndia.

TheRannSamarFoundationisalivingembodimentofher transformationalleadership,blurringboundariesbetween legalinterventionsandgrassrootsactiontobringjusticeand resourcestothemarginalized.Inaddition,shehasbeena championofsustainabledevelopment,whichhasledherto pioneerworkinenvironmentaljurisprudence.Shehas bridgedpolicyandpractice.

Herimpactgoesbeyondthecourtroom.AdvAbhaSingh hasbecomeamovementthroughhermobilizationofpublic opinionandcommunity-ledsolutions,makingherabeacon ofchangein2024.Herstoryinspiresanewgenerationof leaderstoembracecourage,compassion,andrelentless advocacyforajustsociety.

Movingintoacriticalphaseofchangeinthesocialand environmentalspheres,crownedby Insights Success India as‘ATransformationalSocialAdvocatetoFollowin 2024,’AdvocateAbhaSingh’scommitmenttoafairer worldisaguidinglightforallthosewhobelieveinchange throughaction.

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InthebustlingcityofMumbai,wherethecorridorsof

poweroftenechowithstoriesofambitionandstruggle, onewomandecidedtocarveherownpath.Notcontent withmerelyobservingtheinjusticesaroundher,shetook upthechallengeofdismantlingthem.ThiswomanisAdv. AbhaSingh, a former civil servant turned fearless advocate attheHighCourtofJudicatureinMumbai.Her journeyfromasecuregovernmentjobtobecominga torchbearerforsocialjusticeisnotjustinspiring—it’s revolutionary.

Drivenbyadeepsenseoffairness,Adv.Abhahasbecomea formidableforceintheﬁghtforgenderequality,human rights,andlegalreform.Butherimpactdoesn’tstopinthe courtroom.ThroughherNGO, ,she RannSamarFoundation extendshermissiontothosewhocan'taffordlegal assistance,provingthatjusticeshouldneverbeoutofreach. Fromlaunchingherbook,“StreeDashaaurDisha,”to educatingwomenabouttheirlegalrights,Adv.Abha Singh’slifestoryisoneofresilience,purpose,and relentlessadvocacyforthevoiceless.

EarlyLifeandYouth

AbhaSinghwasbornduringaperiodwhenorthodox customsdominatedsocietalstandardsforwomen.Singh's journeywentagainsttheexpectationsofatimewhen women'srightswerestillapipedream.Shegrewupina culturethatquestionedtheseantiquatedcustoms,which instilledinherastrongsenseofjustice,aferociouswill, andastrongdesiretodismantletheconventional boundariesthatlimitedwomen'spotential.Shereceivedher earlyschoolingatLucknow'sLoretoConventandSingh's careerinlegaladvocacybeganwhensheattendedBombay Universitytoearnalawdegree,drivenbyherpassionfor justiceandhumanrights.Shepromptlyascendedtothe positionoflegalcounselattheBombayHighCourt,where herdedicationtojusticeandlegalreformwaswellreceived. SinghlatergraduatedfromJawaharlalNehruUniversity (JNU),NewDelhi,withamaster'sdegreeinphilosophy focusedonhumanrights.Herknowledgeofhumanrights concernsonanationalandinternationallevelhasincreased asaresultofthisadvanceddegree,givinghertheabilityto

President

approachlegalandsocialinjusticesfromawiderangle. Singhbecameastrongvoiceforwomen'srights,legal justice,andpublicwelfare—supportingthecauseof equality,justice,andsocialtransformationinIndia.

ProfessionalJourney

Adv Abha’sprofessionaljourneyisablendofpublic service,legaladvocacy,andsocialreform.Before becomingalawyer,Singhhadadistinguishedcareerasa civilservant.SheservedasanofficerintheIndianPostal Service,whereshespearheadedvariousreformsaimedat improvingefficiency,transparency,andaccountabilityin thepublicsector,hertruecallinglayintheﬁeldoflaw. Afterleavingthecivilservices,Singhpursuedalegalcareer withafocusonpublicinterestlitigation,women’srights, andsocialjustice.Today,sheisawell-knownadvocate practisingattheBombayHighCourt,whereshehasbeen involvedinseverallandmarkcases,particularlythose relatedtogenderequalityandhumanrights.

Hershiftfromthecivilservicestothelegalprofessionwas notwithoutitschallenges.Itrequiredimmensecourageto stepoutofasecuregovernmentjobandtakeanothercareer

Inthelegalworld,whereestablishednetworksoftenfavor theprivileged,Singh'stransitionfromcivilservantto lawyerpresenteduniquedifficulties.Thelegalprofession, particularlyatthehigherjudiciarylevels,iscompetitiveand requiresexceptionaltenacity.Nevertheless,herdedication andperseveranceallowedhertobuildareputationforbeing fearless,particularlywhenadvocatingformarginalized individuals.

Additionally,herworkasasocialactivistbroughtitsown setofchallenges.Fightingfortherightsofwomenandthe underprivilegedoftenmeansconfrontingpowerfulsocietal structures,butSinghhasconsistentlyremainedundeterred.

ShehasbeenaGuestSpeakeratNationalandInternational Level.ApartfromthatsheisthefounderofRannsamar FoundationandNGOaimedatimpactingsocietyina positivemanner

Achievements

AdvocateAbhaSinghhasreceivedseveralprestigious awardsforhercontributionstolaw,activism,andsocial service.AmongthemistheTataConsultancyServicesand TajGroupWomenAchieversAward(2008)forher impactfulworkinempoweringwomen.Shewasalso honoredwiththeShatabdiVarshSammanbytheBankof Barodathesameyear,recognizinghereffortsinsocietal education.Additionally,SinghwasafinalistintheLead India-campaign(2007),organizedbyTheTimesofIndia. Herachievementsinpromotinglegalrightsandsocial welfareearnedhertheMumbaiMayor'sAwardon InternationalWomen'sDay(2011),andshewascelebrated withtheKarmaveerPuraskaarbytheConfederationof NGOsforheroutstandingcitizenshipefforts.Mostrecently, in2018,shewasawardedtheIAmWomanAwardforher tirelessadvocacyonbehalfofwomenandmarginalized communities.Theserecognitionshighlightherlifelong commitmenttosocialjusticeandactivism.AbhaSinghwas afinalistinthefiercelycompetitiveLeadIndiaCampaign,a TimesofIndiaeffort,becausetoherextensiveexpertiseand grassrootsactivity.ShereceivedtheCheveningScholarship toattendtheLondonSchoolofEconomicstocompletea LeadershipCourse.

Duetoherexceptionalverbalskills,evenastrongopponent isfrequentlysidelinedinTVdebates.Becauseofthese qualitiesandherstrongpersonality,AbhaSinghhasahuge on-screenpresenceonTV,whichgreatlyincreasesher recallvalue.

Challenges

Throughouthercareer,Adv.Abhahasfacednumerous challenges,bothpersonalandprofessional.Asawoman navigatingthemale-dominatedspheresofcivilservice,law, andactivism,Singhhadtoovercomesocietalbiasesand AbhaSinghfacedachallengingtimewhenshetookupthe SalmanKhanhit-and-runcase.Whensheappearedinthe Bandracourtfortheﬁrsttime,shesawcountlesssupporters ofSalmanKhan,whichleftherfeelingintimidated.She recallsthatitwasatoughmoment,realizingthatfora lawyer,eachdaybringseithervictoryorfailure.Despite this,shestoodstrongand,fromthatdayonward,overcame herfear,pavingthewaytoﬁghtforjustice.

CourtroomCrusader:AbhaSinghTransforming Society,“OnePILataTime.”

AdvocateAbhaSingh'slegaladvocacy,particularlythrough herstrategicuseofPublicInterestLitigations(PILs),has

ManualScavengersPIL

ManualScavengersPILintheBombayHigh Courthighlightedtheplightoflaborerswholost theirliveswhilecleaningseptictanksand sewers.Thiscaseresultedinalandmark judgmentdirectingtheMaharashtragovernment tocompensatethewidowsoftheseworkerswith 710lakhseach.ThisPILnotonlyenforcedthe ProhibitionofEmploymentasManual ScavengersAct,2013butalsodemanded systemicaccountability,ensuringthestatecould nolongeroutsourceresponsibilitytocontractors. Thiseﬀorthassetaprecedentforlegal interventionsagainstcaste-basedlabour injusticesandbolsteredcampaignsforsafer workingconditions.

broughtsigniﬁcantreformsandheightenedaccountability acrossmultiplesectorsinIndia.EachofherlandmarkPILs addressescriticalissuesandexempliﬁesherabilitytoblend legalacumenwithsocialactivism,creatingafar-reaching impact.

FireSafetyPIL

Inresponsetoaseriesofdevastatingfire incidentsacrossMumbai.ThePILexposedthe lackofenforcementofexistingfiresafetynorms andcalledforstricteroversightregardingNoObjectionCertificatesforbuildings.The BombayHighCourt'sfavorablerulingurgedthe Maharashtragovernmenttoexpeditethe implementationofsafetyregulationsdrafted post-26/11attacks,significantlyimprovingpub safetystandardsacrossurbanareas.

DisabilityRightsPIL

Itfocusedonenforcingaccessibilitystandards forpublicspacesundertheRightsofpersons withDisabilitiesAct,2016.Herpleaemphasized thelackofdisabled-friendlyinfrastructurein hospitalsGovernmentoﬃces,andcommercial spaces,promptingthecourttoorderstricter compliance.ThisPIL'simpactisvisiblein increasedawarenessabouttheimportanceof inclusiveinfrastructureandenhanced accountabilityfromcivicbodiesinMaharashtra, suchastheBrihanmumbaiMunicipal Corporation(BMC).

POSHPIL

FiledbyAdvocateAbhaSingh,alongwitha womanwhohadheadedaPOSHInternal ComplaintsCommittee(ICC)forovertwoyears, soughtdirectionsfromtheBombayHighCourt toprotectICCmembersfromunduepressure fromsuperiorsinworkplaces.Singharguedthat whilethePOSHActgrantsICCsquasi-judicial powers,itdoesnotprovideadequatesafeguards formemberswhofacepressurewhenmaking decisionsagainstthemanagement.Thepetition requestedthatICCmembersbedeclared"public servants"withprotectionagainstarbitrary removalandastabilityoftenure.

ADV.ABHASINGH:VOICEOFOPPRESSEDAND PROTECTOROFDEFENSELESS

Hercommitmenttopublicawarenessisevidentfromher TEDxOxibridgetalk,titled‘WhyLawsinPlaceDoNot EmpowerWomen?”whereshehighlightedthegapsin legalprotection.ShewasalsoinvitedbyColumbia University'sSchoolofInternationalandPublicAffairsin December2018asaspeakeratthe"IndiaDialogues."She hasgivenspeechesonmattersofnationalrelevanceatIIM Bangalore,ISBHyderabad,andotherlawcolleges.Her workwithwomenprisoner’srehabilitationunderscoresher holisticapproachtojustice-providingnotonlylegal solutionsbutalsoapathtoreintegrationanddignityfor marginalizedindividuals.IntheAIBRoastcase,she emphasizesthelegalandsocietalboundariesaroundpublic decency,arguingthatfreedomofspeechcannotbemisused tohurtsentiments.Heradvocacyinthecaserhighlighted thelegalresponsibilityofpublicﬁgurestowards maintainingstandardsofpublicconduct.

Sheisaforcefullegalprofessionalandsocialactivist knownforheroutspokenstanceongenderequalityand justice.Throughouthercareer,shehastakenaﬁrmposition onvariouslegalandsocietalissues,makinganindelible impact.Oneofhermostpublicizedeffortswasherletterto

theGovernorofMaharashtra,opposingJusticeKatju'splea forthepardonofactorSanjayDutt.Singhcriticizedthe undueinfluenceinvolvedintherequest,pointingoutthe flawsinKatju'sreasoning,thusstandingasadefenderof theruleoflawandfairnessinhigh-profilecases. Additionally,Singhhasbeenvocalinsexualharassment casesunderthePOSHAct(PreventionofSexual HarassmentAct,2013).Sheraisedadebateoverwhether victimswhowishtodisclosetheiridentitiespubliclyshould beallowedtodoso.Herlegalexpertisealsoensuredthe stayonthedemolitionofthePunchamPyaowater fountainnearBombayGymkhana.Thisfountain,which servesthousandsofdailycommuters,isnowpreserved thankstoherintervention.Singhhasalsoshowncouragein takingonpowerfulfigures,exemplifiedbyherroleinthe SalmanKhanhit-and-runcase,wheresheinsistedon judicialtransparency,ensuringthatjusticewasnot compromisedbycelebritystatus.Heradvocacyextendsto protectingfreedomofspeech,evidentinherfightagainst theillegalarrestoftwogirlsfromPalgharwhowere detainedfortheirFacebookposts.

Singh'seffortsledtothesuspensionoftheresponsible policeofficersandtheexonerationofthegirls,settinga precedentforsafeguardingfreeexpression.Shealso challengedarbitraryrestrictionsonpublicprotestbyﬁlinga

PILtoallowloudspeakersduringdemonstrations,which resultedinaBombayHighCourtrulingpermittingtheiruse innon-silencezonesforraisingpublicissues.Beyondthe courtroom,Singh'sinﬂuencereachesmarginalized communities.Sheoﬀersfreelegalsupporttoslumdwellers andoppressedwomenthreatenedwithevictionby authoritiesorbuilders.Shealsowalkedarampwalkfor cancerawareness.Herphilanthropiceffortsextendto providingscholarshipstodeservingfemalestudentsatT.D. MahilaMahaVidyalayainJaunpur,thusfostering educationandopportunityforyoungwomen.

Recognizingtheimportanceofrehabilitation,Singhhas workedwithover200convictsinUttarPradeshprisons, helpingthemacquirevocationalskills,andinstalleda sanitarynapkinmachineinavillagetopromote menstrualhygieneandreducedropoutratesamonggirls. VidyaBalanandAbhaSinghco-hostedaradioshow calledDhunbadalketohdekhothatprovidedlegalaidto women.

RANNSAMARNGO

Objective:EmpoweringCommunitiesandCreatingChange

WorkingTowardsaJustandTransparentSociety

Working:RannSamarFoundationisadynamic NonGovernmentOrganisation(NGO)committedtodriving socialchangeandcreatingafairer,moretransparent society.WithongoinginitiativesacrossMumbaiandUttar Pradesh,thefoundationworkstirelesslytopromotesocial justice,women'sempowerment,andtransparencyinpublic administration.

AttheheartofRannSamar'svisionliesthebeliefthatan informedandempoweredcommunityisthecornerstoneof societalprogress.Thefoundation'smissionistoensurethat peopleunderstandtheirrightsandresponsibilities,giving themthetoolstocreatemeaningfulchangeintheirown livesandcommunities.Byraisingpublicawarenessand fosteringacultureofactiveparticipation,RannSamarseeks toupliftmarginalizedvoices,challengeinequality,and strengthenthefabricofdemocracy

Throughitsdiversesocialimpactprograms,RannSamaris committedtoempoweringindividuals,especiallythosewho havebeenhistoricallydisadvantaged.Byaddressingissues ofjusticeandequity,theorganizationhelpscreateamore inclusiveandtransparentsociety—onewhereevery individualhastheopportunitytothrive.RannSamar Foundationbelievesthatsocialtransformationbeginswith awareness,andthatsmallactionsleadtobigchanges. Whetherthroughcommunityeducation,advocacy,or grassrootsmobilization,thefoundationisdedicatedto playingapivotalroleinshapingabetterfutureforall.

AdvocacyandSocialWork

Asasocialactivist,Adv.Abha’sworkgoesbeyondthe courtroom.HerNGO,RannSamar,focusesonproviding legalaidtothosewhocannotaffordit,ensuringthatjustice isaccessibletoall.Thefoundation’sworkinruralareas, particularlyitseffortstoconstructtoiletsandimprove sanitation,hashadasigniﬁcantimpactonpublichealthand women'ssafetyinunderdevelopedregions.

Throughheradvocacy,Singhhasbecomeavocal proponentofwomen’sempowerment,frequentlyaddressing issuessuchasdomesticviolence,sexualharassment,and workplaceinequality.Herabilitytomarryherlegal expertisewithherpassionforsocialjusticehasmadeheran inﬂuentialﬁgureinIndia’songoingbattleforgender equality

AdvicetoAspiringLawyersandSocialActivists

Adv Abha’sadvicetoaspiringlawyersandsocialactivists issimplebutprofound:"Never give up on your sense of justice, and always stand up for the truth, no matter how diﬃcult the road."Sheemphasizestheimportanceof integrityandpersistenceinthefaceofadversity, encouragingyoungprofessionalstostaycommittedtotheir principlesevenwhentheoddsseeminsurmountable.

Shealsobelievesthatonemustbewell-educatedand informedaboutthelawinordertoeffectmeaningful change."Knowledgeispower,"sheoftensays,highlighting theimportanceofcontinuouslearningandstayingupdated withlegaldevelopments.Singhencouragesyoungpeopleto getinvolvedinsocialcausesearlyintheircareersandto usetheirskillstoﬁghtforthosewhocannotﬁghtfor themselves.

ContinuingtheLegacy:AdvocateAdityaPratap

AdvocateAdityaPratapisemergingasasignificantfigure inthelegalfield,continuingtheimpactfullegacyofAbha Singh.WithasolideducationalfoundationfromNALSAR UniversityofLaw,Hyderabad,Adityahasbuiltareputable practiceinMumbai,focusingonvariouscriticallegal issues,includingenvironmentallawandrealestate disputes.HisrecentworkinrepresentingaformerIPS officerinapetitiontotheNationalGreenTribunal highlightshiscommitmenttoaddressingpressing environmentalconcerns,particularlyregardingtherisks posedbydeepbasementconstructionsinMumbai.

andastrongethicalcommitment,akintoAbhaSingh'sown principles.Hehasconsistentlyadvocatedforthorough environmentalassessmentsandlegalcompliance,pushing againstlaxregulationsthatcouldleadtodetrimental consequencesforurbanecosystems.Byemphasizingthe importanceoflegalframeworksinsafeguarding environmentalinterests,AdityanotonlyhonorsAbha Singh'slegacybutalsopositionshimselfasavitaladvocate forjusticeandsustainabilityincontemporarylegal discourse.Hisevolvingcareerisatestamenttotheenduring impactofAbhaSingh'smentorshipandthevaluesshe instilledinherfollowers.

You don't learn to walk by following rules. You learn by doing, and by falling over.

Richard Branson

Historical Context and Constitutional Provisions for Women in India

TherolesofwomeninIndiahaveundoubtedly changeddramaticallyovertimewithbothhistorical contextsandconstitutionalprovisions.From ancienttraditionstomodernlegalframeworks,thejourney ofwomen'srightsinIndiareﬂectsthecomplexinterplay betweenculture,politics,andsocialreformmovements. Thefollowingpieceofinformationcontainsthehistorical contextofwomen'sempowermentandhowIndianlawhas supportedwomen'supliftment.

HistoricalContext:WomeninAncientandMedieval India

Societaltraditionsandreligiousritualsplayedamajorrole indeﬁningtherolesofwomeninancientIndia.Despite someevidenceinancientliteraturethatseemstodenotea relativelyhighplaceforwomeninsocietynotablythe presenceofimportantfemaleﬁguresinthereligiousand philosophicalrealms-thesubsequentcenturiessawtheir socialpositiondeteriorate.Duringthistime,feudalismand patriarchalsocietiesoppressedwomenastheycouldnot enjoyeducation,freemobility,andeconomicfreedom.

Practiceslike Sati (immolationofwidows)and Purdah spreadfarandwide,againrelegatingwomen'slivessolely tothedomesticsphere.Yetwiththesocialreform movementsthatsproutedupinIndiainthe19thcentury underleaderslikeRajaRamMohanRoyandIshwar ChandraVidyasagarwhodemandededucationforwomen, widowremarriage,andabolitionofcertaintraditions,came theﬁrstformaleﬀortsatWomen'sEmancipationinIndia.

ConstitutionalProvisionsforWomeninIndia

SinceIndiagainedindependencein1947,theConstitution ofIndia,whichwasestablishedin1950,beganmaking provisionstobringequalityandopportunitiesforwomenas well.India'sConstitutionaﬀordsseveralfundamental provisionsfocusingonsafeguardingrightsalongwith fosteringgenderequalityamongwomen:

1. Fundamental Rights (Article14,15,16,21):The Constitutionguaranteesalevelplayingﬁeldbeforethe lawArticle14anddoesnotallowdiscriminationonthe groundsofsex(Article15).Womenhavearighttoequal opportunityinpublicemploymentandtheirrightstolife andpersonallibertyhavebeensafeguardedwithdignity andfreedomfromexploitationArticle21.

2. Directive Principles of State Policy:TheDirective Principlesenumeratethewelfareofwomen.These includeequalpayforequalwork(Article39d), protectionofmotherhoodandchildhood(Article42), andsocialandeconomicjusticewhichshouldbeneﬁt women.

3. Special Provisions: TheConstitutionhasempoweredthe statetomakeaspecialprovisionbyvirtueofwomenand children,whichwilloverridehistoricalinequalitiesasa matterofcoursetobettertheirlot.

Also,apartfromconstitutionalprovisions,thereareother lawsenactedinIndiatocurbinequalitybasedongender, alongwiththe Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act of2005andthe Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act enactedin2013andthe Maternity Beneﬁt Act passedin 1961,alloﬀeringlegalcloakforwomen'srights.

WhilethehistoricalcontextofIndiadelineatesalong struggleforgenderequality,whatneedsemphasisisthatthe Constitutionandsubsequentlegalreformshaveprovided thelegalframeworktoprotectandenhancewomen'srights. Thoughlotsofissuesprevailtoday,legalrecognitionof women'srightsmarksacriticalsteptowardtheongoing struggleforthecauseofjusticeinIndia.

We need to balance between democracy and LAW And ORDER.

How Women Fought for their Rights in India?

Thislongandtorturousjourneytowomen'srights

wasmarkedfrombeginningtoendbysuchhistoric socialreformmovementstolegalbattlesandthe comingforthofmanybraveladiesalongtheway.Ofallthe challengesIndianwomenthroughouthistoryhaveenduredbeitstrictcastesystemstoclassstructuresorpatriarchy entrenchedheavilyfinallyreachapointwheretheywould fightforequalityandjustice,triumphsandactivismwhich gointothemakingofthepresentIndiaarealsointhat history

Someearlyeffortsatredressingthelotofwomenweremade inIndiaduringtheIndiansocialreformmovementsatthe beginningofthe19thcentury.ReformerssuchasRajaRam MohanRoy,IshwarChandraVidyasagar,andJyotibaPhule spokeoutforwomen'srightsandopposedsuchthingsas childmarriage,Sati-theburningofwidowsandthe prohibitionofeducationforgirls.Oneofthepioneers,who hadworkedtobanSati,wasapracticeinwhichwidowswere compelledtoself-immolateorwereburntaliveontheir husband'sfuneralpyre.Hiscampaignsdidnotgoinvain,and theSatiRegulationActwaspassedin1829,agloriousvictory forwomen'srights.

Meanwhile,socialreformerslikeVidyasagarpresented themselvesforwomen'seducationbydemandinggirls' schools.HiseffortsledtotheHinduWidows'RemarriageAct of1856.Accordingtolaw,awidowcouldberemarried.It wasafirststeptowardendingtheostracismagainstthe widows.

RoleofWomenintheIndependenceMovement

Thefightforwomen'srightsinIndiaisverycloselyalliedto thefightforIndianindependence.Indianwomenexercised greatpoliticalandsocialagencywhenfightingforfreedom. Manyofusarealreadyawareofstrongwomenleaderssuch asSarojiniNaidu,KasturbaGandhi,andKamaladevi Chattopadhyaywhofoughtforthenation'saswellas women'sgood.SarojiniNaiduparticipatedactivelyinallthe Non-cooperationmovements,theHomeRulemovement,and SaltSatyagrahaledbyMahatmaGandhi.Additionally,she wasthefirstwomaneverelectedaspresidentoftheIndian NationalCongressin1925andwasinstrumentalin encouragingwomentoparticipateintheSaltMarchandQuit IndiaMovement.

KasturbaGandhiwasthewifeofMahatmaGandhiwhohad beenaveryvitalleaderinthewomen'smovementandsocial activismmainlyintheindependencemovementacrossrural India.KamaladeviChattopadhyay,sofarasthatgoes,wenta bitbeyondthisstruggleaspurelypolitical,whereshealso workedfortherejuvenationofIndianhandicraftsand economicemancipationforwomen.

LegislativeReformsSinceIndependence

Thissetupoflegalandpoliticalstructureswhichreflectedthis needforgenderparitywasstartedthroughtheframingofthe ConstitutionofIndiathatgavewomenequalstatusthrough rightstovoteandprotectionfromdiscriminationasamatter oflaworhavingtherighttothedispositionofproperty

Moreover,DrBabasahebAmbedkar,India'sconstitutional architect,alsocontributedtoprovidingwomen'srights, emphasisingtheireducational,equalityandpropertyrights.

Duringthefollowingyears,aseriesoflawswereenactedto protectwomen'srightsandimprovethestatusofwomenin society TheHinduSuccessionActof1956gaverightsto womenforinheritingtheirproperties,andtheDowry ProhibitionActof1961attemptedtocurbthemenaceof dowry,whichhadlongbeenasourceofgender-based violence.TheothermajorlegislationwastheMarriage Laws(Amendment)Actof1976,makingdivorceand maintenancelawsmoreequitable.

Modern-dayStrugglesandWomen’sEmpowerment

Ofcourse,muchhasbeenachieved,butviolence, discrimination,limitedaccesstoeducationand opportunitiesforemploymentforwomenwithinIndia continuetobeproblems.Buttoday,womenfightforrights innewpowerfulwaysandvoices.In2018,the#MeToo movementpickedupfastallovertheworld,asinIndia womenbelongingtoacross-sectionofsocietyexposed harassmentandsexualviolencecommittedagainstthem.

ActivistsMedhaPatkar,ArunaRoy,andShabnamHashmi questionthesocialinjusticesgoingoninsociety,bring forwardtheissuesofpoor,marginalizedwomeninvillages, andraiseissuesregardingcaste-baseddiscrimination, domesticviolence,andaccesstohealthcare.

Notjusteducationandlaw,womenhavealsoconquered spacessuchassports,politics,andbusiness.Famous personalitieslikeMaryKom(boxing),P.V.Sindhu (badminton),andNirmalaSitharaman(FinanceMinister) havemadesignificantcontributionstotheirrespective fields.

Conclusion

ThejourneyofIndianwomen'sfightforrightsisoneof persistence,courage,andresilience.Fromthesocial reformsofthe19thcenturytofeminismtoday,womenhave neverceasedadvocatingforequalityineverywalkoflife. Despitehowmuchremainstobedone,theimprovement seenineducation,law,andsocialjusticeisatributetothe forcesofIndianwomenandtheirunrelentingpursuitof equalityandhumandignity.

Success is the progressive realization of a worthy goal or ideal.

- Earl Nightingale