Notes for AASI-April 14th

One cannot contemplate the womens movements in India without considering the marginalized
groups. This marginalization originates from a multitude of factors; one of the most prominent
being caste.

All Indian Womens Democratic Association-Elaborate further.

Ask Professor to see documentary on Devi.

Vandana Shiva ultimately became a face for the Chipko movement.

In the Armstrong reading: Development is, on a state-wide basis, regarded favorably. This proves
problematic to the environmental and labor activists who endeavor

AIDWA is an official wing of the Indian Communist Party Association. This is a rather popular
party, though it largely depends upon the strength of the coalition. Oftentimes, this group holds a
formidable presence in local elections-particularly in Bengal, Tripura, and Kenla.

In the 1980s, AIDWA had roughly 800 members. In recent years, that figure has exceeded ten
million. One must not underestimate the participation in political parties when movements seek
to define their roles as women.

Remember that urban-based movements mobilized by utilizing all forms of publicity. This
extends to the press, which means that the more upper-tier women will be able to influence what
is and isnt in print.

Haryana, Punjab, and Rahasthan were all hotbeds for the Green Revolution. This is the
agricultural-based resistance movement which called for land rights, land improvement, etc.
Ironically enough, these could easily be considered developmentally based.

Dalit (lower caste) women were among the first subjugated by the commodification of land.

The structure of the Indian land reforms made it so that proletariats had no choice but to seek
employment in privatized farms. This being the case, their wages were significantly lower. Some
men in families may only be hired if their women serve in other subjugated positions. The lower
caste people, then, were not necessarily farmers. The Dalit people are known for a multitude of
varying things-such as produce and animals. Common lands, a staple of the Indian socialist
government, ultimately fell out of favor. These were then seized by bourgeoisie forces, and-while
this is ostensibly not a matter of labor rights-it is inextricable from the matter entirely.

In 1990, India reserved a certain number of governmental seats for women. The Dalit women
appealed to the Communist Party of India for representational politics. It has now been
established that aristocracy cannot claim the common lands.

AIDWA ultimately established an entire wing dedicated solely to research-more specifically on

the middle class.

Feminist issues are hardly universal. On the contrary, they are still very much subject to the
hierarchal structures of society. Thus, some movements will avoid feminist rhetoric altogether,
given the middle class (bourgeoisie) implications. Straying from this is considered radical, and
thus quickly loses any political legitimacy or credibility.