Rukhmabai was the first female practising Doctor. She was born in the times of British India, the head of the colonial powers was a female but the status of the women in India was very sad. Child marriage was the biggest social evil exploiting the lives of the children especially the girl child.
She was a strong and determined woman, who did not give in to society’s constraints. She was married off at the young age of eleven, while her husband, Dadaji Bhikaji was nineteen years old. To continue her education, she decided not to live with her husband. She received a legal notice from her husband and was ordered by the court to live with her husband or spend six months in jail. She accepted to face maximum penalty and paid an amount of 2000 rupees and refused to accept the verdict given.
She chose to continue her education and serve the people for good health. She at the age of 19 years wrote letters highlighting her reflections on the status of the girl child in British India. This caught the attention of the Government of Queen Victoria and as a followup to this, they passed an act on the consent for marriage. The Age of Consent Act 1891 changed the age from 11 years to 15 years. This was a landmark act during those times of child marriage and early maternity.
Samanta salutes these women who created history and bravely stood against the social stigma imposed upon the women. They are the ones who inspire us to make education accessible for the children living in the forest with a special focus on the girl child.
Women like Rukhmabai are an inspiration for not only us but also for the Van Gujjar women, whose life is stifled under the social norms imposed on them. We aim to provide each and every girl with the learning opportunity and make her brave enough to stand for her own rights.
TANYA KHERA
Powerful Facts - https://indianexpress.com/article/who-is/who-was-rukhmabai-raut-4949058/ [Source : indian express]