Introduction
India’s social structure has been deeply shaped by the caste system, which is a hierarchical form of social stratification. Within caste-based societies, women’s identity, status, and roles are shaped not only by their gender but also by their caste location. This intersection of caste and gender creates multiple layers of discrimination, especially for women from lower castes like Dalits and Adivasis. Understanding women’s roles in such societies requires an intersectional analysis of caste, patriarchy, and social norms.
1. Identity of Women in Caste-Based Societies
- Identity Interlinked with Caste: A woman’s caste often determines her occupation, marriage prospects, social status, and treatment by others.
- Loss of Individuality: Women are often seen as bearers of caste purity, and their actions are closely monitored to maintain the family or community’s honor.
- Limited Agency: Especially among upper castes, women’s autonomy is often restricted to ensure endogamy and caste purity.
2. Status of Women Across Castes
Upper Caste Women
- Often enjoy better access to education and resources but live under stricter patriarchal control.
- Expected to uphold the family’s honor through modesty, chastity, and subordination.
Dalit and Lower Caste Women
- Face triple oppression — on the basis of caste, class, and gender.
- Are more vulnerable to sexual violence, exploitation, and social exclusion.
- Have a history of participating in grassroots struggles and feminist movements for emancipation (e.g., Dalit women’s collectives).
3. Role of Women in Caste-Based Societies
- Marriage: Women are crucial in maintaining caste boundaries through endogamous marriages.
- Domestic Roles: Across castes, women are expected to manage the household and take care of children and elders.
- Labor: Lower caste women often work as agricultural laborers, domestic workers, or manual scavengers, while upper caste women may remain within the household.
- Social Control: Caste panchayats and khap panchayats often enforce strict control over women’s mobility, sexuality, and marriage choices.
4. Intersectionality of Caste and Gender
Women do not experience gender discrimination in the same way — their experience is shaped by caste, class, religion, and region.
- Dalit women activists have criticized mainstream feminism for being upper caste–centric and ignoring the specific issues they face.
- Intersectional feminism emphasizes the need to address the overlapping systems of oppression that shape women’s lives.
Examples
- Manual Scavenging: Performed almost exclusively by Dalit women despite being outlawed.
- Honor Killings: Often target inter-caste couples where the woman belongs to a dominant caste.
- Dalit Feminism: Led by women like Ruth Manorama and organizations like the National Federation of Dalit Women (NFDW).
Conclusion
The identity, status, and role of women in caste-based societies are shaped by complex power dynamics. While all women face gender-based discrimination, caste intensifies the oppression for marginalized women. Empowering women in such contexts requires not only gender-sensitive reforms but also the dismantling of caste hierarchies. An intersectional approach that includes the voices of all women, especially those from marginalized communities, is essential for real social transformation.