Religious Ideology, Hindu Women, and Development in India

Abstract

Development efforts in modern India have largely failed to help women because of the male‐centered religious ideology of pativratya. This ideology encourages the adoption of a submissive and dependent position by Hindu women. There is a lack of political will to transcend this ideology because the status quo is beneficial to those in positions of power and privilege. Unless women who will be the beneficiaries of change demand it, changes in related policies and programs will not come about. This article proposes a series of action programs informed by the ideal of gender equality in order to diminish this oppressive ideology and empower women to demand necessary changes.