Devaki Jain is surprised that Malayali women are no longer “mute and terrified.” And it's all because of her interactions with Kudumbasree workers. The highly respected development economist, who proudly carries the tag feminist (read feminist author), was in the city to attend a seminar on ‘Aspiring for Women's Full Citizenship in Kerala: The Kudumbasree Mission' organised by the Centre for Development Studies.
“There used to be a paradox – you had matriarchy here, but, at the same time, women here were the most subdued in the country. But after I met the women of Kudumbasree, I saw a remarkable change,” says the 78-year-old, who, for the last 35 years has been involved in women's movements – writing for women and setting up organisations, networks and forums to highlight women's issues. Sharing her regard for Kudumbashree, she says: “It is the best example of how a boring, typical handout scheme has been converted into a powerhouse. It has added to the value of the Panchayati Raj. Threats are there and if it crumbles, the unemployment figures would go up. Let it run,” she says.
The lady, who floors one with her radiant smile and warmth and, of course, her CV, can give you the simplest explanation for feminism – celebrating womanhood. “Being a feminist means identifying myself with women and their struggles. I endorse my identity as a woman. I like what I am. The political part is that I'm constantly looking for various situations where women are neglected.”
Ensuring livelihood for women holds the key rather than just clamouring on about gender issues or discrimination. “Thanks to the rising middle class, women are migrating to cities in large numbers as domestic workers. My argument is that if you have the MNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act), why not have an urban programme too,” she says, adding: “I would rename ‘Daridranarayan,' coined by Gandhiji, as ‘Daridranarayani.' Indian women are the poorest. And why do we refer only to the ‘aam admi' (common man) and not the ‘aam aurat' (common woman)? If every ‘aam aurat' can earn her bread, that would be the first step towards alleviating poverty. Individual dignity is dependent on individual economy,” she says.
India doesn't have a social security programme which provides the basic requirements free for the citizens, but the country produced the best economist – Gandhiji. “He not only developed the khadi industry, but also had the marketing strategy ready in the form of the khadi village industry,” says Devaki, a Gandhian to the core.
Foray into feminism
Born in pre-Independent India (1933) as the daughter of a high-ranking civil servant, Devaki is still amazed about how she became a feminist. “I grew up the conventional way. I call it the zenana life! But I always wanted to work. I didn't want to get married like my sister. And since I was studious (a topper throughout, she won three gold medals from Mysore University), it was difficult for my family to put pressure on me. In fact, I had not fought my way, I made my way.”
A graduate in Economics from the Oxford University and a teacher at the Delhi University for six years, Devaki didn't foray into women's issues until she happened to work on a book Indian Women for the Government of India, in the mid-70s. Ensuing years saw her launching or working with many institutions such as Development Alternatives for Women for a new Era (DAWN), a third world network of women social scientists, Indian Association of Women's Studies (IAWS), Kali, a feminist publishing house, and the Institute of Social Studies Trust (ISST), a research centre for poor women workers.
The journey has given her many gratifying moments, she says. Surveys brought to light the state of affairs with many occupational women's groups, one being the plight of prawn peelers from Kerala who migrated to Gujarat. “Being part of the South Commission was a great recognition. I was one of the 26 economists who were part of the Commission headed by Julius Nyerere, former president of Tanzania. Manmohan Singh was among them. Our agenda was to make the South an economic power. In some sense, that is happening now,” she says.
