Women in Contemporary India

• INTRODUCTION:

  The purpose of the program was to provide the US educators with a broader insight into Indian cultural heritage. More specifically, the focus of the seminar was on defining the role and status of women in India. The program explored some of the unique cultural/social/religious/historical issues defining the position of women in India, the economic/political participation of women, changing status and emerging problems, education and health, kinship, family and marriage, and modernization and women's' development. The impetus of the seminar was to help visiting educators understand modern Indian women against the backdrop of Indian history and culture.

  The program consisted of two phases, namely, academic study and field visits. The one-week academic program was held in New Delhi using a multi-disciplinary approach involving formal lectures, interviews, and discussions with prominent scholars of women studies and public personalities. The field visit phase of four weeks exposed participants to different local issues related to women in the geographical and regional diversities of the country. This phase included travel to Agra, Jaipur, Kolkata, Pune, Thiruananthpuram, Chennai, Shimla and Varanasi.

  The seminar was designed to enrich participants' knowledge by combining academic and cultural experiences. Visits to schools, colleges and museums, and rural areas were interspersed with demonstrations of Indian dance and music. Visits were also arranged to NGOs working on women's issues in both rural and urban settings. Within the group's program, time was also allocated for participants to pursue their individual academic interests and work on their respective curriculum projects.

  Schedule in India
  Participant Brief CVs
  Curriculum Projects Abstract