women

The ‘invisibility’ of Muslim Women: Locating Muslim Women’s Voices in the History of Modern South Asia

Sabera Bhayat Leave a comment

With the rise of women’s history and the history of gender in the late twentieth century, feminist scholars and historians have contributed significantly to the body of knowledge regarding Indian women’s history. This has included women’s activities in both the nationalist and women’s movements, as well as feminist initiatives in social reform and the uplift … Continue reading The ‘invisibility’ of Muslim Women: Locating Muslim Women’s Voices in the History of Modern South Asia

“You’re an Indian Muslim Woman, Why Study History?”

Sabera Bhayat 2 Comments

Being a South Asian, Muslim, female, I have had to contend with remarks from fellows within my own community, on the choice of my study and research. Most will be familiar with the not so inaccurate stereotype of South Asians pursuing careers as doctors, lawyers, and engineers. This often creates a challenge to those within … Continue reading “You’re an Indian Muslim Woman, Why Study History?”

A Historical Perspective on Polygamy and Muslim Personal Law Reform in India

Sabera Bhayat Leave a comment

Issues of Muslim women’s marital rights have received significant media attention in recent years, whereby these women have highlighted gender inequalities in the unreformed legal system of Muslim personal law in India. Within these debates, the problem of polygamy has been a recurring theme, that has been lingering around the issues of Muslim personal law reform, and the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code in the interests of women’s rights.

Child Marriage and Female Education: the Religious Character of Social Reform for Hindu and Muslim Women in Late Colonial India

Sabera Bhayat Leave a comment

Child marriage and the lack of female education were problems across both Hindu and Muslim women, and were highlighted particularly in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Yet, in the Indian age of reform, each religious community chose to focus on different aspects of their women’s social conditions as subjects for their reform campaigns. … Continue reading Child Marriage and Female Education: the Religious Character of Social Reform for Hindu and Muslim Women in Late Colonial India