Emancipating and Strengthening Indian Women: An Analysis of B. R. Ambedkar’s Contribution

A revolutionary figure, a pioneer of social justice and a true reformer, Dr B. R. Ambedkar’s role is significant in shaping the social, political and civic contours of India and fostering the advancement of the society in general and women in particular. His personal sufferings as a Dalit and his exposure to Western ideas and rational thinking built in him the confidence to challenge the orthodox Hindu social order and reconstruct the society along the ideas of equality, liberty, fraternity and respect for the dignity of all including the womenfolk. He held Manu responsible for all plight and agony of women. He also blamed the Hindu social order for assigning a stereotype role to women. He firmly believed that eradication of the iniquitous gender relations and elevating the status of women were the vital requirements of the process of social reconstruction that he aimed at. Therefore, he tirelessly fought for the inclusion of the rights of women in different spheres of life. He awakened in women the zeal to fight for social justice and their rights through his speeches, thoughts and reforms. His reformative measures came in the form of Hindu Code Bill to modernize the Hindu society which became unparalleled in its importance. Here is an attempt to develop an analytical framework to gauge his contribution as a fighter for women’s rights