Women's Indian Association
Also called: WIA · Topic: The National Movement: Gandhian Era · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The Women's Indian Association (WIA) was a women's organisation founded at Adyar, Madras, in 1917. Its founders included Annie Besant, Margaret Cousins and Dorothy Jinarajadasa. It led the early demand for women's right to vote. It also pushed for social reforms such as girls' education and an end to child marriage. It was one of the first all-India women's organisations.
Example
In December 1917 a group of women led by Sarojini Naidu met Edwin Montagu, the Secretary of State for India. They asked that women get the vote on the same terms as men. Madras became the first province to give women the vote, in 1921.
Don't confuse with
- All India Women's Conference (AIWC): this was a separate, larger body founded in 1927. It began with a focus on women's education. Margaret Cousins helped found both organisations.
Related concepts
- All India Kisan Sabha
- Swami Sahajanand Saraswati
- FICCI
- G.D. Birla
- Jamnalal Bajaj
- All India Trade Union Congress
- Communist Party of India
- Meerut conspiracy case
- Women in the civil disobedience movement
- All India Women's Conference