NEW DELHI – The Legislative Department of the Ministry of Law & Justice marked International Women’s Day with the release of a landmark publication, The Life and Contributions of the Women Members of the Constituent Assembly. The book highlights the critical yet often overlooked role of 15 pioneering women in drafting India’s Constitution.
The volume documents the contributions of women leaders, including lawyers, social reformers, and freedom fighters, who shaped key constitutional provisions despite navigating a male-dominated political landscape. It offers an in-depth analysis of their debates, speeches, and legislative efforts on fundamental rights, social justice, and gender equality.
Among those featured are Ammu Swaminathan, an advocate for gender equality; Annie Mascarene, a proponent of federalism and state integration; Begum Qudsia Aizaz Rasul, the only Muslim woman in the Assembly and a champion of secularism; and Dakshayani Velayudhan, the first Dalit woman in the Assembly who fought against untouchability. The book also profiles Sarojini Naidu, Sucheta Kripalani, Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, and others who played vital roles in shaping India’s democracy.
With insights into the historical evolution of women’s constitutional aspirations and a compilation of key Assembly debates, the book serves as a valuable resource for scholars, historians, and citizens. The release comes at a time of renewed discourse on women’s leadership and representation in governance.
