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Kathmandu Friday March 08, 2002 Falgun 24, 2058.
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Feminist writing and women’s
movement
By PRATIVA SUBEDI
At the end of the 18th century women’s
issues were becoming a subject of discussion. During the French Revolution, the 1789
"Declaration of the Rights of Women" was published by Olympe de Gouges to
protest the revolutionists’ failure to mention women in their Declaration of the
Rights of Man.
Mary Wollstonecraft calling for enlightenment of
the female mind, published her book "A Vindication of the rights of women" in
1792. She wrote it when the social and economic position of European women was in decline.
She refuted the socially constructed perception that women are, by nature, more pleasure
seeking and pleasure giving than men. Throughout her writings she urged women to become
autonomous decision makers and rejected the idea of a woman being only a slave to her
family. She wanted women to develop their own personhood, to not just do the wifely and
motherly duties commonly expected of women of the time.
John Stuart Mills and Harriet Taylor co-authored
Early Essay on Marriage and Divorce in 1832. In this book, they made a statement about
overpopulation by cautioning women to have fewer children. John Stuart Mills also wrote a
book on the subjection of women in 1869 which mentions that men and women’s
intellectual abilities are of equal status. Both of these writers were also in favour of
voting rights for women.
Margaret Fuller, one of the earliest female
reporters, expressed the view in her Women in the Nineteenth Century published in 1845,
that individuals had unlimited capacities and that when they are confined according to
their sex, human development is severely limited. Harriet Taylor wrote the Enfranchisement
of Women in 1851.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton was a leading
theoretician of the women’s rights movement. Her book, "Woman’s
Bible", published in two parts in 1895 and 1898, raised questions about the male bias
of the Christian Bible. Stanton printed both parts on the creation of man from the Book of
Genesis. She raised a question about the statement, "Eve was an outgrowth of Adam’s
rib." She was accused of being too radical for pointing out the subordination of
womanhood within religion. Women’s status in the Biblical text began to be analysed
at this time.
Charlotte Perkins Gilman described the home as
inefficient compared with the mass-production techniques of the modern factory. She
contended, in her book "Women and Economics" (1898), that women should share the
tasks of homemaking, with the women best suited to cook, to clean, and to care for young
children. Politically, many feminists believed that a cooperative society, based on
socialist economic principles, would respect the rights of women.
"The Second Sex" (1953) by Simone de
Beauvior is a very famous book used widely in the beginnings of the feminist movement in
the west and it is still used today. She writes of the perpetuation of female oppression:
"The enslavement of the female of the species and the limitations on her various
powers are extremely important facts; the body of a woman is one of the essential elements
in her situation in the world."
The book, "Feminist Thought" written
by Rosemarie Putnam Tong (1998) is an important book in the discussion on the varieties of
feminist theories on conceptual thought. "Feminist Methods in Social Research"
(1992) by Shulamit Reinharz, is also a useful tool for feminist research. Barbara Rogers’s
book, "The Domestication of Women, Discrimination in Developing Societies," is a
well-known book about woman’s work and economic importance. Maria Mise is also famous
for her feminist writing. Robin Morgan is the current publisher of Ms Magazine in the USA
, the leading feminist magazine that provides a forum for women’s issues.
"Open Boundaries," a book by Canadian
writers Barbara A Crow and Lise Gotell, raises issue concerning the feminist movement in
Canada and the gendered division of labour.
"If Woman Counted", a book by Marilyn
Warring discussing the visibility of women’s work, is well-known within the feminist
movement of New Zealand.
In India, Kamala Bhasin’s booklets on
feminism, patriarchy and gender are excellent. Bandana Shiva of India, and Beena Agrawal
of Sri Lanka are also contributing through their books. Bandana Shiva’s book,
"Staying Alive", is known for its treatment of environment and the women’s
movement.
There are also many voices to be heard within
our own country. Shashikala Sharma was a magazine publisher for "Swasnimanchhe"
(1958). Parijat is a famous literary name with a feminist prospective. Modnath Prashrit
wrote "Nari Bandhan ra Mukti" (1981) and many booklets calling for women’s
liberation. Vishnu Pravat has also produced booklets. Dev Kumari Thapa, Toya Gurung,
Banira Giri, Manju Kanchuli, Benju Sharma, Kunta Sharma are other well known names in the
area of women’s liberation. Meena Acharya, Beena Pradhan and Indira Shrestha are all
involved in research relating to women and development. During the Women’s Decade
(1975-1985), these three women have been able to attract people’s concern through
their studies.
In 1975, Shanta Pokhrel wrote a book
highlighting the contribution of the late Queen Aishwarya Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah, other
women royals as well as public women. Shanta Laxmi Shrestha wrote a book entitled
"Gender Sensitive Planning" (1994). Dr Durga Pokhrel (with Anthony Willet) wrote
the book, "Shadow Over Shangri-La" (1996), discussing her struggle as a female
political activist. Durga Ghimire wrote a book about her experience while being imprisoned
for political activism. Dr Shanta Thapaliya wrote a book entitled "Nepalko Pariwarik
Kanun" about family law.
The late Mangala Devi Singh’s "Nari
Sangharsa ka Pailaharu" talks about her political struggles. Anju Chhetri, Susan
Maskey, Manju Thapa , and their team are currently publishing "Asmita" a woman’s
magazine. Jyoti Pyakuryal and other writers are publishing magazines like
"Richa" and "Bidushi". Sita Pandey in her book, "Youn ra
Anubhuti", discusses sex issues within society. Dr Sangeeta Rayamajhi is a writer and
publisher of the magazine "Across". Shobha Gautam, Amrita Banskota, Aruna
Upreti, Sulochana Manandhar, Bhadra Kumari Ghale, Bindia Pradhan, Mr Gauri Pradhan, and
the Dr Renu Rajbhandari are also contributing feature articles and many are conducting
their own programmes through radio and television. Babita Basnyat is editor of Ghatana Ra
Bichar.
These are just a few examples of the many voices
of women in Nepal. These feminists are supporting the woman’s movement through their
writings and research, helping woman studies and the public by providing their opinions
through their writings. Writing and research are a very strong part of the women’s
movement at local, national and global level to bring out women’s voices. These are
only a few writers with feminist ideas; there are many more that we must salute today.
The writer of this article, Prativa Subedi, has
written "Bibidha Pakchyama Nepali Nari" (1992) and "Nepali Women
Rising" (1993 and 1997). In these, she talks about the situation and contribution of
Nepali women from a feminist perspective.
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