National Women's Day of India

National Women's Day of India is celebrated in remembrance of the birth anniversary of India's first female teacher, social worker, and poet Savitribai Jyotirao Phule. She was born on 3 January 1831 in Naigaon in Satara district. She was the first principal of the first girl's school in India and also the founder of the first Farmer School. Savitribai Jyotirao Phule is considered as an important figure in the social reform movement in India.

Savitribai Phule was married to 13-year-old Jyotirao Phule in 1840 at the age of nine. Savitribai Phule, together with her husband Jyotirao Phule, opened 18 schools for girls. Moreover, in the year 1848, the first girl's school was established in Pune, Maharashtra.

1. Support of Husband

Savitribai Phule had a great desire to study, but her family did not support her in this matter. Savitribai's husband, Jyotirao Phule, supported her in studies.

2. The country's first modern school opened for girls

Savitribai Phule, together with her spouse, inaugurated a women's school in Pune in the year 1848. A total of nine girls took admission, and Savitribai Phule became the headmistress of this school. Jyotirao made Savitri eligible for the position of teacher and headmistress.

3. Why Savitribai took extra saree in her bag?

When Savitribai Phule went to school, people used to hit stones, throw dirt, and cow dung on her. Due to which, she used to carry a saree in her bag so that she could reach the school and change her dirty clothes. Savitribai opened a school for girls at that time when it was not considered right to teach the girls.

4. Fought against social evils

Savitribai Phule and her husband passionately fought against many social evils. They strongly voiced against casteism, untouchability, and gender discrimination.

They opened a shelter home for pregnant widows, where they could give birth to their child. Savitribai Phule was also made special arrangements for the upbringing of those kids.

5. British rulers support Savitribai Phule

Before independence, there were many social stigmas in society. The British rulers helped the Phule couple to run social reform programs to change people's superstitious and orthodox beliefs. Child marriage was entirely prevalent in society in the 19th century. Many girls used to be child widows and could not get remarried, after then. The Phule couple also started a reform movement against child marriage to change the tradition.

6. British East India Company honored

The British East India Company acknowledged and honored the Phule couples for their significant contribution to the field of Education.

7. Opens “Balhatya Pratibandhak Griha”

She ran a "Balhatya Pratibandhak Griha" to prevent the female infanticide, the killing of widows, and pregnant raped victims.

8. Adopted a Son

The Phule couple had no children. They adopt a child named Yashwant Phule, who later becomes the heir of their family.

9. Husband's death

Jyotirao Phule, a husband of Savitribai Phule, died in 1890. After which Savitribai pledged to complete their unfinished tasks.

10. Opened a Hospital for plague patients

Savitribai Phule, together with her son Yashwant Phule, who is a doctor, opened a hospital in 1897 for plague patients in Pune. She, along with her son, dedicatedly cared for the patients.