Women's Indian Association

The Women's Indian Association (WIA) was founded at Adayar, Madras, in 1917 by Annie Besant, Margaret Cousins, Jeena Raja Dasa, and others to liberate women from the deplorable condition women suffered in socio-economic and political matters during the 19th and the early 20th century. The Association later developed into a potent force to fight against illiteracy, child marriage, the Devadasi system and other, social ills.[1][2] After Ms. Besant's death in 1933 Ms. Jinarajadasa became more involved in the internal politics of theosophists. Unfortunately the faction she supported fell from favour, and her name stopped appearing in all documents from that point onward.

History

The name of the organization was chosen to indicate its inclusive makeup, allowing both Indian and European women to join, and lack of affiliation to any philosophy, religion, caste, or social class. Founded on 8 May 1917, in Adyar, Madras by Margaret E. Cousins, its first president was Annie Besant. Founding members included S. Ambujammal, Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay, Mary Poonen Lukose, Begam Hasrat Mohani, Saralabai Naik, Dhanvanthi Rama Rau, Muthulakshmi Reddy, Mangalammal Sadasivier, and Herabai Tata.[3]

Stri Dharma

The Stri Dharma was the journal published by the WIA to voice its ideals and beliefs. It addressed political and social issues facing women in India as well as the achievements of women worldwide.[4]

References
  1. Sudarkodi, S. (1997). "THE WOMEN'S INDIAN ASSOCIATION AND THE EMANCIPATION OF WOMEN IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 58: 742–743. JSTOR 44144004.
  2. Reddi, S. Muthulakshmi (2015-08-14) [August 15, 1947]. "Emancipation of Women". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2019-07-10.
  3. Kaur, Jagdeep (January 2019). "Women's Organizations in Pre-independence India" (PDF). International Journal of Applied Research. Delhi, India: AkiNik Publications. 5 (1): 142–145. ISSN 2394-7500. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 November 2019. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  4. K, Broome, Sarah (2012). Stri-Dharma: Voice of the Indian Women's Rights Movement 1928-1936 (Thesis). Georgia State University.

Further reading
  • Women's Indian Association. (1967). The inspiring saga of Women's Indian Association, 1917- 1967. Madras: W.I.A.
  • Women's Indian Association. (1967). Women's Indian Association, Madras, India : Golden jubilee celebration, 1917 to 1967. Madras: W.I.A.
  • Stri Dharma available from the British Library
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