Dr. Vina Mazumdar

Involved in India’s freedom movement, Vina Mazumdar dedicated her career to fighting for what she calls the ‘twin movements’- women’s rights and women’s studies. Inspired by her mother’s curiosity and love for reading, Vina knew she wanted to study history. Studying at esteemed institutions like the University of Calcutta India and Oxford University in London, UK, Vina was set on the path to success. Upon graduating, she had to get her father’s blessing to become a teacher. After working as a professor of political science at Patna University, Vina was appointed as the Member Secretary of the Committee on the Status of Women in India and Director of the Programme of Women’s Studies. She was also a founding member of the Indian Association of Women Studies in 1982.

As the Drafting Secretary of the report on the status of women in India in 1971, Vina spent her time studying the diversity of women’s experiences within the patriarchal conditions of the country. She recorded that the more educated men and women with urban backgrounds were more reluctant to share their experiences compared to the men and women from the poorest and most rural areas who were more likely to discuss the issues they have with the discriminatory government policies.