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The Legacy of Savitribai Phule

06 Sep 2025 GS 1 Social Issues
The Legacy of Savitribai Phule Click to view full image

Life & Contributions

  • Savitribai Phule (1831–1897): India’s first female teacher and social reformer.

  • Founded first girls’ schools in Pune (1848) with husband Mahatma Jyotiba Phule.

  • Designed curricula, wrote poetry, used teaching as a tool of empowerment for women.

  • Defied caste & gender prejudices; faced hostility (mud & stones thrown at her) but persisted.

  • Believed education of girls was essential for India’s future.

  • Became India’s first trained female teacher & headmistress.

  • Collaborated with Fatima Sheikh, first Muslim woman teacher of India

Social Reform Work

  • 1851: Founded Mahila Seva Mandal → promoted women’s rights, anti-caste, equality.

  • 1853: Founded Balhatya Pratibandhak Griha (infanticide prevention centre for widows).

  • Campaigned against child marriage, for widow remarriage.

  • Shelter homes for widows, victims of violence, pregnant women.

  • Encouraged women’s gatherings without caste distinctions (all sat on same mat).

  • Advocated for inter-caste equality, women’s dignity, education as liberation.

Literary Contributions

  • Kavya Phule (1854) – poetry collection on social issues.

  • Bavan Kashi Subodh Ratnakar (1892) – prose & reflections.

  • Poem “Go, Get Education” – urged oppressed to fight injustice through education.

  • Writings highlight feminist consciousness & caste critique.

The Legacy of Reformers & Call of Equality

  • Savitribai’s efforts part of broader 19th-century reformist movement:

    • Raja Ram Mohan Roy – against sati, child marriage, for women’s education.

    • Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar – widow remarriage, women’s education.

    • Mahatma Gandhi – stressed empowerment of women.

  • Reformers viewed women’s education as key to social change.

  • Savitribai emphasized education as liberation and equality.

Women & Education: The Progress

  • Post-Independence achievements:

    • Literacy rate of women has risen from 8.9% (1951) to 70.3% (2021 ).

    • Gender parity index improving across levels of schooling.

    • Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of girls at elementary level now higher than boys.(UDISE+)

  • Government schemes contributing:

    • Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (2015): Shifted social attitudes, improved sex ratio.

    • Poshan Abhiyan, Mission Shakti, SAMARTHA: Nutrition, safety, opportunity framework.

Current Scenario (as per UDISE+ 2024–25 data)

  • Female teachers constitute 54.2% of total teachers (up from 46.9% in 2014–15).

  • Challenges remain:

    • High dropout rates among girls in secondary level due to:

      • Early marriage, safety issues, economic pressures.

    • Issues like menstrual hygiene, digital gap persist.

  • Govt initiatives: sanitary pads, safe schools, digital literacy.

Importance of Women’s Education

  • UNESCO finding: Every additional year of schooling for a girl → increases future earnings by 10–20%.

  • Women’s education = multiplier effect:

    • Better healthcare & nutrition.

    • Lower infant mortality.

    • Higher family income.

    • Stronger communities.

Towards Viksit Bharat 2047

  • Education is key driver of growth in developed India.

  • PM’s vision: Women’s empowerment as central pillar of nation-building.

  • Women’s education critical for achieving Viksit Bharat 2047 goals.

A Collective Resolve

  • Teacher’s Day honours not just educators but also reformers like Savitribai Phule.

  • Her legacy = education as liberation, equality, and empowerment.

  • Call for renewed commitment to:

    • Access, equity, quality education for girls.

    • Continued societal and governmental effort.



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