Role of women in non-cooperation movement

Abstract

The paper explores the integral role of women in India's Non-Cooperation Movement, a pivotal phase in the nation's fight for independence led by Mahatma Gandhi in the 1920s. Amid this nonviolent resistance against British rule, women assumed multifaceted roles that extended beyond societal boundaries. Engaging in protests, rallies, and boycotts, they vehemently rejected British-made products, institutions, and symbols, showcasing their resolute dedication to change. Despite societal constraints relegating women to domestic roles, they defied convention, organizing picketing and promoting indigenous khadi cloth as alternatives to British imports, fostering self-reliance. Their involvement not only disrupted British economic activities but also reshaped gender dynamics, endowing women with newfound agency and empowerment. This abstract emphasizes that women's contributions were not passive or peripheral; instead, they were driving forces in reshaping the movement's landscape. Their resilience and commitment left an enduring impact on India's struggle for independence, while simultaneously propelling a transformative shift in women's societal roles and aspirations, setting an enduring precedent for their sustained involvement in subsequent phases of the freedom movement and beyond.