(Lucknow): As Women’s Day 2025 approaches, the conversation surrounding feminism in India is more relevant than ever. While the movement has evolved over the years, the perspectives on feminism often differ between the older and younger generations. For some, it is still seen as a challenge to longstanding cultural traditions, while for others, it represents a crucial fight for equality and justice. Despite the generational divide, both groups share a common goal: creating a society where gender no longer determines access to opportunities or freedoms. Let’s explore how feminism in India is evolving across these generations, and how the movement can move forward toward a more inclusive and equitable future.
The Older Generation: Traditional Views, Unwavering Contributions
For many members of India’s older generation, feminism evokes a sense of discomfort or misunderstanding. Raised in a more conservative and patriarchal society, feminism is often perceived as a challenge to established societal norms and family structures. To them, ideals such as independence, individualism, and gender equality can feel foreign, associated with Western values that threaten the harmony of traditional Indian families. For decades, women’s roles were centred around duty, sacrifice, and maintaining household unity, and challenging these norms through assertions of personal freedom can appear unsettling.
However, it is important to recognise that the older generation played a critical role in laying the foundation for the feminist movement in India. Many of these women were pioneers in the fight for access to education, employment, and legal rights, opening doors for subsequent generations to continue the struggle for gender equality. Their work, though not always seen through the modern lens of feminism, was part of a long history of women’s rights advocacy in India.
The Younger Generation: Equality, Justice, and Systemic Change
In contrast, younger Indians view feminism not as a rejection of tradition but as a powerful call for justice and equality. For them, the fight for feminism is about challenging the deeply rooted structures that limit opportunities for both women and men. It involves striving for equal pay, safer public spaces, bodily autonomy, and an end to gender-based violence.
This generation has been shaped by exposure to global movements like #MeToo, #WomenInSTEM, and digital activism, creating a more intersectional approach to feminism. Young people today recognise the need to address issues of caste, class, and LGBTQ+ rights within the broader feminist framework. Social media has played a pivotal role in spreading awareness, helping young Indians connect with and contribute to global feminist conversations. For many, it’s no longer enough to advocate for small, incremental changes—systemic transformation is the goal.
Feminism in India: A Complex, Multifaceted Struggle
The feminist movement in India cannot be understood in isolation from the country’s complex social fabric. Unlike in many Western countries, where debates around gender equality often centre around workplace rights, feminism in India also addresses issues like access to education, the eradication of dowry, the prevention of child marriages, and overcoming caste and class discrimination.
This unique context means that both the older and younger generations share a common understanding: though progress has been made, there is still a long road ahead in achieving full gender equality. The ongoing struggles for women’s rights in India reflect an intersectionality that requires both generations to adapt and work together, acknowledging how gender inequality manifests in varied ways depending on caste, class, and region.
Finding Common Ground: Bridging Generational Differences
The generational differences in perspectives on feminism need not be a source of conflict but an opportunity for dialogue. By fostering education, awareness, and respectful conversation, it’s possible to bridge the gap between traditional views and contemporary feminist ideals. Feminism in India should be adaptable, recognising the cultural values of the past while advocating for meaningful societal change.
The goal is not to impose one singular vision of feminism but to create an inclusive movement that resonates with everyone’s experiences and aspirations. Whether it’s the older generation’s emphasis on family harmony or the younger generation’s focus on radical change, there is space for both to coexist, contributing to a broader, more holistic vision for gender equality.
Breaking Myths: The Male Resistance to Feminism
One of the more contentious aspects of the feminist conversation in India is the male resistance to the movement. A common misconception is that feminism seeks to diminish men’s roles in society or strip them of their traditional power. For some men, feminist discourse feels like an attack on their masculinity, as discussions on gender equality often highlight issues such as gender-based violence, sexual harassment, and toxic masculinity.
Social conditioning and entrenched gender norms play a significant role in this resistance. Men, raised with rigid expectations of masculinity, may feel threatened by shifting dynamics in relationships, workplaces, and households. The rise of digital feminism and social media activism has further intensified this backlash, with some men viewing it as an extreme or unnecessary discourse. However, these negative perceptions are based on misunderstandings of feminism’s true mission: dismantling oppressive systems that harm all genders, not just women.
Moving Forward: A Unified Vision for Gender Equality
As we approach Women’s Day 2025, it’s evident that India stands at a crossroads in the journey toward gender equality. Feminism today is no longer just a conversation—it’s a movement, shaped by diverse histories, perspectives, and lived experiences. While generational divides may exist, the ultimate aim remains the same: a future where gender equality is a reality, not just an aspiration.
To move forward, we must engage in open dialogues, demonstrate mutual respect, and be willing to evolve together. The feminist movement in India must remain adaptable and inclusive, acknowledging the legacies of the past while embracing the complexities of the future. By doing so, we can create a society where gender is no longer a barrier to opportunity and where justice and equality are shared by all.
