This document profiles several pioneering women human rights defenders from India and surrounding regions who have advocated for gender equality and women's rights. It describes their efforts to promote women's education, fight discrimination, establish schools and organizations to empower women, and challenge unjust laws through protest and legal action. These women faced threats and harassment but continued their important work advocating for women's rights, access to resources, political participation, and ending violence. The document honors their courage and leadership in championing human rights.

1. November 29, 2014

2. Who are they and
why should they matter to me?

3. “Women human rights defenders are
women active in human rights defence
who are targeted for who they are, as well
as those active in the defence of women’s
rights who are targeted for what they do.”
Women Human Rights Defenders
International Coalition

4. Fight for human rights PLUS gender equality,
health and educational rights, political
participation, environment and many other
important causes;
Face humiliation, discrimination and gender-based
violence because of their work and
because they are women;
Work quietly and so no one knows they need
help or protection.

5. Women Human Rights Defenders
from our part of the world

6. Wrote ‘A Comparison of
Men and Women’,
considered the first
modern feminist text in
India.
Criticized the ways in
which religion and caste
denied women human
rights.

7. “But every day now we have to look at some
new and more horrible example of men who
are really wicked, and their shameless lying
tricks. And people go about pinning the blame
on women all the time, as if everything bad
was their fault. When I saw this, my whole
mind began churning and shaking..
I lost all my fear, I just couldn't stop myself
writing about it.”
Tarabai Shinde

8. Was awarded the title
‘Pandita’ in honour of
her vast knowledge of
Hindu scripture.
Established the Mukti
Mission to alleviate the
plight of young widows.
Actively promoted
women’s education.

9. “I have a conscience and a mind of my own. I
must myself think and do everything which
God has given me the power of doing… I am
anxious to do away with all kinds of prejudices
which deprive a woman in India of her proper
place in Society.”
Pandita Ramabai

10. Founded the Islamic
Women’s Association,
first Muslim feminist
organization.
Started the first school
for Muslim girls.
Advocated breaking of
gendered division of
labour as a route to
women’s empowerment.

11. “The opponents of the female education say
that women will be unruly ... fie!
…If men are not led astray once educated,
why should women?”
Begum Rokeya

12. First woman to be a
member of the Legislative
Council in India.
Was instrumental in
passing laws that
prevented trafficking
women and children.
Founded Avvai Home for
destitute women and
children.

13. “Our cause is righteous…
and in the end, it will prevail”
Dr Muthulakshmi Reddy

14. A strong advocate for
women’s education and
against child marriage
Founded the Sarada Illam
shelter for young widows
(1912).
Founded the Lady
Willingdon Training College
(1922).
Was a prominent member
of the Women’s India
Association and the All-
India Women’s Conference.

15. Chaired the committed
that drafted Towards
Equality (1974), a report
on the status of women in
India that was a turning
point in the women’s
movement.
Established various
research organizations to
encourage research and
spread awareness on the
status of women in India.

16. Works with Sangat (a South
Asian Feminist Network),
JAGORI, Women’s Resource
and Training Centre, Jagori
Rural Charitable Trust, SAHR
(South Asians for Human
Rights).
Engaged with issues related
to gender, development,
peace, identity politics,
militarization, human rights
and democracy.

17. Founded the Association
of Parents of Disappeared
People in Kashmir, for
families whose children
have been taken by the
Indian army on suspicion
of militancy.
Continues to petition
national and international
bodies for the repeal of
the AFSPA.

18. “Fear is only damaging when you allow it,
when you wallow in it.
But once you fight back,
fear loses its power.”
Parveena Ahangar

19. At the forefront of the
movement to empower
Dalit women.
Founded and belongs to
many organizations that
are involved in advocacy
on behalf of Dalit women.
Launched several mass
struggles for the rights of
Dalit women and
unorganized labour.

20. “Democracy without women is no democracy.”
Ruth Manorama

21. Undertook a fast in 2000
(still ongoing) to protest
violence by the Indian
armed forces in Manipur
under the AFSPA (Armed
Forces Special Powers
Act).
Has been arrested several
times and charged with
attempted suicide; force-fed
by the government.
Still continues her
activism.

22. A singer, actor, activist and
scholar in Sri Lanka, active
for over 20 years at the
national and international
level.
Concerned with issues of
women’s rights, especially in
promoting feminist
governance, and
representation of women in
the public sphere, women’s
economic and reproductive
rights, women in the media.

23. “When everyone is criticizing you,
then you are doing the right thing.”
Sunila Abeysekera

24. Sued and won equal
inheritance rights for
Syrian Christian women in
1986.
She is the founder-director
of the
Pallikoodam school in
Kottayam.

25. “Indian women need more economic
independence. One absolute certainty in India is
that women are born to get married. And
marriage means getting a dowry. And getting a
dowry means staying with your parents. And
staying with your parents is to get social
acceptance. Or else your daughter will not get
the right bridegroom. This is the biggest hurdle
that women face in India today.
What we need is mental and financial
independence for women so that they can exist
as Indian citizens with equal rights with men.”
Mary Roy

26. Established the first all-woman law firm in Pakistan in
1980 and set up the first free legal aid centre in
Pakistan.
Formed the Women’s Action Forum, campaigning within
courtrooms and in the streets against gender
discriminatory legal systems.
Jilani served as Special Representative of the Secretary
General on Human Rights Defenders 2000-08 and
Jehangir as Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial,
Arbitrary, and Summary Executions.

27. “We cannot remain shackled while other
women progress.”
Asma Jahangir

28. Journalist and activist in
Jharkhand, runs Adivaasi,
Moolvaasi, Astitva Raksha
Manch.
Actively opposed Arcelor
Mittal’s project because it
would displace 40 villages.
Runs a tea-shop to support
herself because that is
where people meet to
discuss social issues.

29. "The corporate houses are simply ignorant of the
concept of the subsistence economy of a tribal
society that is rooted in agriculture and forest
produce.
"The natural resources to us are not merely means
of livelihood, but our identity, dignity, autonomy
and culture have been built on them for
generations.
"These communities will not survive if they are
alienated from the natural resources. How is it
possible to rehabilitate or compensate us?“
Dayamani Barla

30. …and thousands of nameless,
faceless women, who bravely
stand up to fight for their rights,
to speak their minds and to
demand justice… every single
day…

38. This group of Women ‘Torch
Bearers’ (Meira Paibis) in
Manipur have persistently held
rallies, protests and
demonstrations against the
brutalities carried out by the
Indian army in Manipur and
elsewhere under the AFPSA.

41. http://www.prajnya.in
http://www.prajnyaarchives.org
by Archana Venkatesh and Swarna Rajagopalan