Department of Women’s Studies
Permanent URI for this communityhttps://ir.nbu.ac.in/handle/123456789/4244
The learners will demonstrate a mastery of the subject by detailed engagement with evolution, development, and current practices in the field of Women's Studies and learn how to effectively conduct research in the field. The guest teachers on the teaching panel have international publications and visits to their credit. Some of them are engaged in collaborative work with the university and in projects in universities abroad.
The Department looks forward to producing a regular output of brilliant students and researchers.
Browse
12 results
Search Results
Item Open Access Educational Scenario of Tribal Women in Dooars and Terai(University of North Bengal, 2024-12) Roy, PurnimaIn Dooars and Terai of North Bengal, Adivasi women have been suffering from illiteracy due to lack of proper education. The article focuses on the status and condition of their educational scenario and the hurdles faced by them in doing so. It is surveyed that the maximum number of women in tribal families are engaged mainly in tea garden. It also looked that they do not have interest in education and the Government facilities are not sufficient too to support their society. So, the gap between the general communities and the Scheduled Tribes in Dooars and Terai region in terms of low literacy may be attributed to different issues and the tribes remain illiterate in comparison to other societies.Item Open Access Unearthing the Silent Narratives of Women of Darjeeling in Colonial Photography (1835-1947)(University of North Bengal, 2024-12) Sarkar, SouravPhotography, introduced to India shortly after its European invention, became a pivotal tool in documenting and shaping colonial life. In Darjeeling, amidst the scenic eastern Himalayas, photography captured the region's exotic appeal and socio-economic changes under British rule. This article explores the visual representation of women in colonial Darjeeling, revealing how photographs perpetuated imperialist ideologies while offering insights into women's lives and agency. By examining images of women tea plantation workers, local elites, and everyday individuals, this study highlights how photography both reflected and constructed colonial experiences, reinforcing stereotypes and justifying British rule through narratives of primitiveness and the need for a civilizing influence. Despite many exploitative depictions, some photographs also showcase women's resilience and contributions to the colonial economy and society. This research underscores photography's importance as a historical document and medium of expression, providing valuable insights into the gendered dynamics of colonialism and the broader imperialist project in Darjeeling. Through these lens, we better understand the interplay between power, representation, and identity in colonial India, appreciating the multifaceted role of women in shaping and being shaped by the visual culture of the time.Item Open Access Understanding the Status of Matua Women in 20th and 21st Centuries in Bengal(University of North Bengal, 2024-12) Goldar, SanchayeetaThe Matua community primarily comprised of lower caste individuals from East Bengal (now Bangladesh) were united under the leadership of Sri Sri Hari Chand Thakur as part of an anti-caste religious movement. His son Guru Chand Thakur, later strengthened this movement, focusing on truth, purity of character, and gender equality. He emphasized on education, self-reliance, and societal respect for the community, who historically suffered from caste-based untouchability and forced migration due to communal conflicts. This present paper will analyse the contemporary socio-cultural and economic conditions of Matua women in Bengal. It highlights the significant role of ‘Matri Sena’, an independent women’s organization within the Matua fold, which underscores the commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment. Despite progress in education and reduced discrimination, Matua women still face economic challenges and societal stereotypes. This study explores their ongoing struggles and efforts to improve their status, reflecting on the broader implications for social justice and gender equality within marginalized communities.Item Open Access Women and contemporary politics during the times of Babur and Humayun(University of Northe Bengal, 2024-12) Roy, Varun KumarThe historical narrative of Babur and his family underscores the pivotal yet often underappreciated role of women in the political arena of the Mughal dynasty. Ehsan Daulat Begam's exemplary leadership during Babur's formative years not only safeguarded his claim to power but also demonstrated the significant influence women could wield within a patriarchal framework. Her ability to navigate complex political challenges and maintain stability in the court reflects a broader theme of women's active participation in governance during this era, countering prevalent stereotypes of female passivity. Moreover, figures such as Mahim Begam and Bibi Mubarika illustrate how women were not just supportive figures but key players in the shaping of political strategies and alliances. Their involvement in military campaigns, diplomatic relations, and the management of the household highlights the multifaceted roles women occupied, significantly influencing the direction and consolidation of Babur's rule and, by extension, the Mughal Empire. The contributions of these women extend beyond their immediate context, resonating through generations and impacting the political landscape of their time. Their legacies serve as a reminder of the essential need to reassess historical narratives, recognizing and valuing the instrumental roles women have played in shaping history. This nuanced understanding enriches our comprehension of the socio-political dynamics of the past and emphasizes the importance of inclusivity in historical discourse. Thus, the accounts of Babur’s family indeed reflect not only the complexities of power dynamics within their immediate context but also the enduring capacity of women to influence and determine the course of history, challenging the traditional paradigms of leadership and authority.Item Open Access Feminist Philosophy of Art(University of North Bengal, 2023-12) Saha, SubhamThe feminist philosophy of art is concerned with how feminist issues are involved in aesthetics. Like feminism, feminist aesthetics show how women are objectified in art. This article will show how and why women are depicted in an objectified manner in the traditional art canon and how feminist artists react against this.Item Open Access Shades of South Asian Women in Rasheed Jahan’s Writings: Navigating Patriarchies, Spaces, Regime Control, and Colonialism(University of North Bengal, 2022-12) Chakraborty, Anup Shekhar; Biswas, PraggnaparamitaWomen in South Asia had a different colonial experience compared to that of men. Colonialism liberated indigenous women from traditionally restrictive practices, expanding their mobility opportunities. It also introduced indigenous women to newer forms of colonial patriarchy and sometimes resurrected older forms of masculine privilege. Women attempted to overcome obstacles to education and healthcare, forced marriages, and restrictions on their freedom of movement. A group of women actively participated in the nationalist movement and advocated for women’s rights. Writing allowed colonised women in South Asia to convey their thoughts and experiences and to challenge the oppressive structures that confined them, ultimately leading to women’s liberation. By drawing attention to the intersectionality of gender, religion, and culture, women writers in South Asia, particularly the Islamic women writers have contributed significantly to the feminist movement. These writings have given Muslim women in the region a voice and have challenged patriarchal norms and stereotypes. The writings of Rasheed Jahan, Ismat Chughtai, and Qurratulain Hyder continue to serve as a source of inspiration and motivation for future generations of women. The present study delves into the literary works of Rasheed Jahan, with a focus on the portrayal of South Asian women and their experiences in overcoming various forms of patriarchal oppression, their navigation through regimes and their mechanisms of control, their struggle for establishment of identities in diverse social settings, resisting authoritarian regimes, and recovering from the aftermath of colonialism while carving out spaces for their survival.Item Open Access Ignored Voices: An Overview of the life of the Women with Disabilities in India.(University of North Bengal, 2022-12) Das, TinkuIt has been held from ancient times that men and women are not equal. Some socially prescribed identities have been forced onto both genders. Based on people's biological or physiological differences, performances, competence, retention, and other capacities, society has developed some negative conceptions and established some binaries such as normal/abnormal, able/disabled, fit/unfit, etc. In order to oppress women, patriarchal society has created separate standards for men and women. It views women as weak human beings who serve as spouses, mothers, nurses, and sisters. In a culture that is governed by men, women lack freedom and safety. Men have always held a higher standing than women and are still are viewed as more significant than women. There have been different waves of feminism with their own charter of demands regarding women’s rights but there was no particular demand for women with disabilities. It seems that women with disabilities have no purpose in this world and are considered as useless in the society. Even at the very onset the women who struggled for their rights and identities did not raise their voices for women with disabilities. Harlan Hahn, a disability activist and political scientist has observed that disabled women often encounter “asexual objectification”. Though the world of words masculine and feminine are categorized but women with disability have no category and have been deprived and treated as untouchables. The paper discusses this lack of voice in favour of women with disabilities that pushes them towards more uneasy world.Item Open Access Emancipation and Empowerment of Women – Barriers and Challenges(University of North Bengal, 2022-12) Roy, Sayantani‘It is perfectly natural for the future woman to feel indignant at the limitations posed upon her by her sex. The real question is not why she should reject them: the problem is to understand why she accepts them’ -Simone de Beauvior, The Second Sex Since time immemorial, women have been held in the shackles of mediocrity under the guise of domesticity. The notion of inferiority complex silently embedded in their psyche. The invariably assertive surroundings forcibly made an inevitable resolution to push her down the same path that her matriarchal lineage committed to ages since. The fear of obligation and guilt persisted in following her in the subsequent time, no matter how hard a woman attempted to break free from the confines that had been deftly built to keep her in place. The terrifying outburst of self-criticism is a product of the generational transmission of a mental process that endorses patriarchy and relies on the idea that women are in fact a subordinate category incapable of being left on their own. A key component of feminist definition and politics is empowerment, which became a buzzword in the 1970s among development agencies, is not without obstacles and challenges.Item Open Access Women , Leisure and a Room of Their Own : a Brief Appraisal(University of North Bengal, 2020-12) Mitra, ZiniaItem Open Access Study on the Occupational Status of Women of Matigara Community Development Block, Darjiling District, West Bengal(University of North Bengal, 2020-12) Lepcha Nee Lama, Indira; Saha, Tannistha