Dalit Women in History: Socio-Political Struggles, Resistance, and Assertion of Identity

Abstract

Dalit women’s history in India reflects the intersection of caste, class, and gender oppression, making their struggles distinct within the broader narratives of both women’s and Dalit movements. Historically relegated to the margins, Dalit women faced untouchability, sexual violence, and economic exploitation while being denied education and dignity. Reformers such as Jyotirao and Savitribai Phule, along with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, initiated movements that recognized their plight and emphasized education, self-respect, and socio-political participation. In the post-independence era, Dalit women became active in grassroots struggles for land, wages, and social justice, while also entering political leadership, symbolized by figures like Mayawati. Their voices, often neglected in mainstream feminist discourse, gave rise to Dalit feminism, which foregrounds caste as central to women’s oppression. Through literature, activism, and community leadership, Dalit women continue to resist discrimination, assert identity, and reshape narratives of social transformation in India.