Savitribai Phule: A Pioneer of Womens Education Against All Odds

New Delhi, March 9: In an era when educating girls was deemed sinful, one woman rose against a barrage of insults, societal taunts, and the chains of oppression. Despite facing daily humiliation and attacks, she persevered. With unwavering determination, she became India’s first advocate for women’s education.

Amid numerous struggles, Savitribai Phule did not falter. Her courage not only initiated the movement for girls’ education but also laid the groundwork for women’s empowerment. Born on January 3, 1831, in the village of Naigaon, Satara district, Maharashtra, Savitribai’s childhood unfolded during a time when education for girls was unimaginable. At just nine years old, she married 13-year-old Jyotirao Phule, a prominent social reformer, educator, thinker, and revolutionary. He recognized the curiosity and courage within Savitribai and began teaching her at home.

Jyotirao aimed to awaken society through education, particularly in the realm of women’s education. However, the backlash from the conservative society was so intense that their efforts faced significant challenges. He shared this issue with his aunt, Sagunabai, and Savitribai. Sagunabai asserted, “To change society, we must first educate women.” This marked the beginning of a transformative journey.

On January 1, 1848, Savitribai opened India’s first girls’ school in Pune at Bhide Wada. Initially, there were only six students. This move was a significant shock to the conservative society of that time. As they walked to school, people would throw stones, mud, and insults at them. Savitribai carried an extra sari, changing into it upon reaching school to continue teaching. She believed that education was not merely a degree but a path to intellectual liberation.

She was also a revolutionary poet. In her work “Kavya Phule,” she wrote, “Acquire education, become self-reliant.” She referred to English as “English Mata” and viewed it as a window to global knowledge. Her goal was to connect the marginalized communities with modern ideas. Savitribai’s struggle extended beyond the classroom. She witnessed the exploitation of widows and established a “Child Murder Prevention Home” in her house, putting up posters that read, “Pregnant widows, give birth here with dignity.”

In 1897, a plague epidemic struck Pune. Upper-caste doctors hesitated to enter Dalit neighborhoods. At the age of 66, Savitribai did not retreat. She carried a sick ten-year-old boy named Pandurang on her back to the hospital. The boy survived, but Savitribai contracted the plague. She breathed her last on March 10, 1897.

Her contributions continue to resonate today. On July 2, 2025, the National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD) was renamed the “Savitribai Phule National Institute of Women and Child Development.” A new center was inaugurated in Ranchi on July 4. Furthermore, the film industry has produced a biopic about Savitribai Phule.