Feminism in the South: Seen from the Notebooks of Devaki Jain

Abstract

The life of Devaki Jain, an octogenarian Indian feminist, along with a review of her works between 1975 and 2016 provides a fascinating account of the notable contributions made by her to evolution of gender studies and feminist concerns in India during this period. The story of her life, trips across the world and meetings with important personalities are available in her memoirs, The Brass Notebook: A Memoir. Her professional work is largely covered in two books, The Journey of a Southern Feminist and Close Encounters of Another Kind. Devaki Jain has remained moored to India through her travels to 94 countries and has presented an Indian perspective on development issues through a gender lens. The problems of inequality, feminization of poverty, women and development, India and the world are recurring themes. These issues continue to challenge society and remain relevant in a globalizing world where attempts to subdue the voice of feminists and marginalized groups continue to persist. She advocates adopting a Gandhian approach of muting differences as a possible way for building a more equitable society.