Critically examine the contributions of major women's organisations in contremporary India

Women in India have been fighting for equality, justice, and empowerment for decades. Over the years, several women’s organisations have emerged to support these causes and bring about real change. These organisations have played a significant role in improving women’s rights, providing education, healthcare, safety, and ensuring equal opportunities. In contemporary India, the contributions of such organisations are even more important as women continue to face issues such as domestic violence, dowry, sexual harassment, inequality, and discrimination.

This article critically examines the work and impact of some of the most prominent women’s organisations in modern India.

1. Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA)

Founded: 1972
Founder: Ela Bhatt
Location: Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Main Focus: Economic empowerment of poor, self-employed women.

Key Contributions:

SEWA has worked extensively with women in the informal sector—such as vegetable vendors, handloom workers, and domestic help—who often lack job security and legal protection.
It provides micro-finance, insurance, healthcare, and skill training to over 2 million members.
SEWA formed its own bank called the “SEWA Cooperative Bank,” which gives loans at low interest rates to poor women.
It has empowered women to become financially independent, gain confidence, and have a voice in their families and communities.

Critical View:

While SEWA has had immense grassroots impact, critics argue that its reach is still limited to specific regions. Also, it largely depends on external funding, which can affect long-term sustainability.

2. All India Women’s Conference (AIWC)

Founded: 1927
Location: Delhi
Main Focus: Education, women’s rights, and legal reforms.

Key Contributions:

AIWC is one of the oldest women's organisations in India.
It was instrumental in pushing for reforms in women’s education and personal laws related to marriage, divorce, inheritance, and child marriage.
AIWC runs hundreds of educational institutions, vocational training centres, and shelters for women in distress.
It played a strong role in lobbying for laws like the Hindu Code Bill, Dowry Prohibition Act, and Domestic Violence Act.

Critical View:

Some scholars feel that AIWC is more bureaucratic and less active at the grassroots level today. Its urban elite leadership sometimes fails to connect with the needs of rural and marginalized women.

3. National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW)

Founded: 1954
Affiliated With: Communist Party of India
Main Focus: Political participation, equality, and labor rights.

Key Contributions:

NFIW fights for gender equality, peace, and social justice.
It has supported women workers, farmers, and tribal women to demand their rights.
The organisation has been active in raising awareness about gender-based violence and lobbies for better implementation of protective laws.
It has also participated in mass movements against price hikes, poor healthcare, and child malnutrition, all of which affect women deeply.

Critical View:

Due to its strong political leanings, some feel NFIW sometimes gives more importance to ideology over practical results. Also, its activities are often seen as extensions of party politics.

4. Mahila Samakhya Programme

Started By: Government of India, 1988
Main Focus: Education and empowerment through collective action.

Key Contributions:

It was launched as a government programme but developed into a powerful grassroots movement.
It focused on women’s collectives called Sanghas to raise awareness on education, health, legal rights, and economic independence.
It was especially effective in backward states like Bihar, UP, and Karnataka.
Thousands of women became literate, self-reliant, and involved in panchayat (village) politics.

Critical View:

The programme was discontinued in 2015. Critics feel that ending such a successful initiative reflected poor policy decisions and undervaluing of women’s empowerment by the state.

5. Bharatiya Grameen Mahila Sangh (BGMS)

Founded: 1955
Main Focus: Rural women’s development

Key Contributions:

BGMS has worked on health, education, agriculture, and environment for rural women.
It has helped form self-help groups (SHGs), trained women in farming, and supported them in accessing government schemes.
It also works to eliminate social evils like child marriage and dowry in rural areas.

Critical View:

The organisation has done good work but operates in limited areas. Also, it often struggles with funding and infrastructure issues.

6. Breakthrough

Founded: 1999
Founder: Mallika Dutt
Main Focus: Gender-based violence, rights awareness through media and art.

Key Contributions:

Breakthrough is known for its powerful media campaigns like “Bell Bajao,” which urged men to take a stand against domestic violence.
It uses street theatre, videos, school programs, and digital platforms to spread awareness.
It focuses on young people and uses pop culture to change mindsets.

Critical View:

While its campaigns are creative and widely seen, critics argue that media campaigns alone cannot bring long-term change. Deep-rooted patriarchy requires sustained efforts beyond messaging.

7. Jagori

Founded: 1984
Main Focus: Gender training, safe cities, and feminist research.

Key Contributions:

Jagori runs awareness programs on women’s safety, sexuality, reproductive rights, and violence.
It conducts self-defense training and safety audits of public spaces.
Jagori has worked in slums and rural areas to help women access justice, health services, and legal support.
It has played a key role in campaigns for making public transport and cities safer for women.

Critical View:

Jagori’s work is innovative and people-centered, but limited by scale. Expanding to rural belts and other states remains a challenge.

8. Centre for Social Research (CSR)

Founded: 1983
Main Focus: Gender equality, women’s leadership, research, and advocacy.

Key Contributions:

CSR conducts research on gender issues and uses data to push for policy reforms.
It trains women leaders, supports political participation, and works on gender budgeting.
The organisation also focuses on skewed sex ratios and the prevention of gender-biased sex selection.

Critical View:

CSR has made an intellectual impact, but its practical outreach is often limited to urban settings. Critics argue for more grassroots-level presence.

Overall Impact of Women’s Organisations

Women’s organisations in India have helped to:

Promote gender equality in laws and policies.
Educate and empower women economically and socially.
Address crimes like dowry deaths, rape, and acid attacks.
Break the silence around taboo topics like menstruation and marital rape.
Encourage women to join politics and take leadership roles.

These organisations also played a crucial role during movements like the Nirbhaya rape case protests (2012), the fight for workplace safety (MeToo movement), and campaigns against triple talaq.

Challenges Faced by Women’s Organisations

Despite their efforts, many women’s organisations face several difficulties:

1.Limited Funding: Many NGOs struggle with regular financial support.

2.Political Pressure: Organisations that raise tough questions often face political backlash.

3.Cultural Barriers: Deep-rooted patriarchy makes change slow and difficult.

4.Safety Risks: Activists and field workers often face threats and violence.

5.Urban-Rural Divide: Many organisations are urban-centric and fail to reach remote areas.

Suggestions for Future Growth

To increase their impact, women’s organisations can:

Partner with schools and colleges for early gender education.
Expand use of technology for awareness and training.
Collaborate more with each other to avoid duplication.
Demand greater government support and accountability.
Include men and boys in gender equality campaigns.

Women’s organisations in contemporary India have been powerful agents of social change. From legal reforms to economic empowerment and from education to safety, their contributions have touched countless lives. However, the journey is far from over. India still faces widespread gender discrimination, violence, and inequality. In such a situation, the continued strength, innovation, and support of women’s organisations are vital.

A critical look shows that while their achievements are noteworthy, they must overcome challenges like limited reach, funding issues, and the urban-rural gap to truly empower every woman in India. Their role remains central to building a just, equal, and progressive society.