Page 29 - VMFT News Letter _Ajeesh_New Design_26.03.2020_Copy Revised

Gender inequality in Kerala was deep rooted and She stated that present day school curriculum
camouflaged with the caste factor. Even though,
Vakkom Moulavi emphasised the importance
of women education in early 1900s, Brahmin
women started attending schools in 1935-36
only. Renaissance started with Brahmin women
and then followed to the other women but was in
caste order hierarchy. New change was visible in
all walks of life such as education, property rights,
marriage and social relations.
The identity of Kerala women has been shaped
through three different activities over many
decades and ended by 1948. They were i) the
renaissance thoughts and actions in communities
and castes, ii) the social activism for equal
rights by farmers, labour strikes by teachers
and otherss and iii) the empowered middle and
upper class educated women participation in
nationalistic movements. Through a series of
social movements, the identity of Kerala women
emerged by Paliyam satyagraha of 1948. It was
a union of Namboothiri, nair, scheduled caste,
scheduled tribe women who stood together for
demanding right to use Paliyam road.
VMFT NEWSLETTER JANUARY-MARCH 2020
does not give an awareness of disadvantages
of gender discrimination within students. She
quoted the need of financial stability to be
gained by women in present days which is
possible only by accepting the reorganisation
of responsibilities and gender roles in family
life. She also presented the efforts taken for
women empowerment in different areas such as
health, education, politics and career building.
Dr. O. G. Sajitha, (Director (Programmes)),
VMFT in her vote of thanks pointed out about
the gender awareness classes conducted
for school students in the School Outreach
Programmes organised by Vakkom Moulavi
Foundation and also about the activities of
gender mainstreaming done by the organisation.
The Ninth Renaissance Lecture which evoked
the interest and participation of women and
children also gained the attention of media.
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