Mahatma Jotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule’s contribution towards women empowerment

To celebrate Women’s Day without recognizing the contribution of Dr. Ambedkar, Savitribai Phule, and Mahatma Jotiba Phule is hypocrisy and shameful act. Here are few of the highlights of work done by Mahatma Jotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule for women empowerment.

Also read – Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and International Women’s Day

Mahatma Jyotiba Phule

• On 1st Jan. 1848, India’s first school for girls was started at Bhide’s wada in Pune by Mahatma Jotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule.
• On 28 January 1853: First ever infanticide prohibition home of India was started by Savitribai Phule.
• Savitribai Phule started Mahila Seva Mandal in 1852, which worked for raising women’s consciousness about their human rights, dignity of life and other social issues. She went on to organise a successful barbers strike in Mumbai and Pune against the prevailing practice of shaving of widows’ heads.

Bhidewada, where India’s first school for girls was started by Savitribai Phule and Mahatma Jotiba Phule

• On 28 January 1866, Vishnushastri, inspired by Phule’s  movement opened an institution to promote widow  remarriage. The institution (a society) was known as Punar Vivahtojak Mandal(remarriage association).
• At a time when even the shadow of untouchables was considered impure, when the people were unwilling to offer water to thirsty untouchables, Savitribai Phule and Mahatma Jotiba Phule opened the well in their house for the use of untouchables.

Read also – Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s fight for women’s rights

• Savitribai Phule was the first Dalit woman, in-fact the first woman whose poems got noticed in the British Empire. Savitribai Phule was the mother of modern poetry stressing necessity of English and education through her poems.
• Did you know? On 16th Nov. 1852, Phule family was honoured by British government for their works in the field of education and Savtribai was declared as the best teacher.
• In 1863, first ever orphanage home was started by Mahatma Jotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule, hence gave protection to pregnant widows.

Read also – Book Review of “A Forgotten Liberator : The Life and Struggle of Savitribai Phule”