Breaking The Boundaries: Savitribai Phule As Fierce Feminist And Educationist In India

There is abundant evidence that men have been considered superior to women since the dawn of civilization (Scott, 1983). Almost every progressive country has a long history of maltreatment to women. It was women who eventually became rebel to revive social status and strengthen their current position in the world. Women have raised their voices for gender equality and continue to strive hard to empower themselves to achieve that equality, despite widespread mistreatment. At that time, it was essential for our society to achieve women’s empowerment and gender equality. During those tough times, Savitribai Phule strongly advocated for the advancement of women’s education and emphasized woman’s empowerment. Education not only develops an individual’s personality but also brings him out of the deep vortex of old and orthodox beliefs into the light. Education has done the same in the context of women. It does not only liberate them from the shackles of old stereotypes but also provides them manifold opportunities. Savitribai Phule was a personality who took a vow to educate girls despite society’s opposition to girls’ education. She was India’s first female teacher who not only fought for women’s education, but also established a girls’ school for the first time. This paper aims to address how Savitribai Phule as a social reformer and educationist has transformed the educational scenario in India.