Patriarchy to Power: The evolving meaning of freedom for Indian women

Indian Express

2 days ago

Written by Neha Mithun Rathod
Seventy-eight years after Independence, the meaning of freedom for Indian women has evolved. From mere survival in the shadows of the Partition era to self-expression in the glow of social media, Indian women have come a long way to reclaim their freedom. Women across generations reveal how the times have changed their own perception of independence.
Family decided, we obeyed: Nirmala Jain (81)
'We never spoke about self-ambitions and personal goals,' recalls 84-year-old Nirmala Jain, her eyes reflecting years of restraint. Born to Babulal and Jaraviben in Sildar, Rajasthan, Nirmala was the eldest of ten siblings and took charge of household chores from a very young age. Her days began before sunrise—fetching water, kneading dough, helping her mother—before attending lessons with masterji, who taught numbers, letters, and religious texts. By 14, she was married, meeting her husband for the first time at the mandap. 'No one asked whether we were ready. The family decided everything, and we obeyed,' she says. For women of her time, freedom meant small certainties: knowing everyone at home was safe, traditions were upheld, and the household ran smoothly. Now settled in Pune's Timber Market, Jain remains close to the community of families who migrated alongside hers, a living reminder of the shared histories that framed her early years.
Raised daughters to think independently: Nirmala Chowhan (71)
The next generation widened the definition—cautiously. Nirmala Amin Chowhan, raised in a traditional South Indian home, valued education as a ticket to better living. She graduated, took up a typewriting job, and married by choice. Navigating an interfaith marriage and two cultures, she raised daughters to think independently. At 71, in her Viman Nagar apartment, she still tutors children. 'It keeps me busy and my sense of independence alive,' she says.
Living life without asking for permissions constantly: Sunita Muzumdar (57)
'For me, freedom has always meant making my own decisions—living life without constantly asking for permission or fearing judgment,' says Sunita Muzumdar, 57. Knowledge has been her compass, guiding her to stand up for what she deserves. 'Society's pressures have eased, and the new generation of women no longer gives in all the time.' Sunita's perspective is shaped by the life she sees in her daughter, currently studying abroad. 'She's growing up in a world with possibilities my generation could only dream of,' Sunita says. With a husband in marketing and a daughter leading the way as a flagbearer of Gen Z independence, Sunita views the next generation as both inspiration and promise.
Children asking for freedom liberated me too: Bhakti Sharma (52)
For 52-year-old Bhakti Sharma, freedom arrived as a mid-life awakening. Raised in a traditional Punjabi family in Amritsar, she had wings in education but limits in opportunity. Her husband designs bomb suits for defence, but for years Bhakti did her own kind of shielding—putting her family's needs ahead of her dream to become a chartered accountant. The turning point came when her grown children asked for their freedom. 'It made me realise how much I had surrendered,' she says. At 45, she enrolled in a skills course alongside students her children's age. 'Freedom isn't about breaking away—it's about reclaiming the parts of yourself you left behind.' Today, she trains others in soft skills, helping them overcome self-doubt and step into their full potential.
Make safe choices, protect yourself: Poonam Oswal (52)
For Poonam Oswal, 52, Chairperson of JITO Ladies Wing, Pune, freedom isn't just a career choice or economic autonomy—it's also knowing how to protect yourself. 'If you're going out alone, learning to make safe choices is freedom. Trusting your instincts and knowing how to protect yourself gives power. Women must learn to read people, to see who is genuine and who isn't. We are in times when being naive is dangerous. Freedom now also means awareness and courage, not just independence.'
Physical, mental well-being true freedom: Mona Lodha (40)
Mona Lodha, 40, is one of them. 'I grew up in a home where customs prevailed, yet I knew I wanted a career,' she says. From a national rope Mallakhamb player to an interior designer and now a real estate agent, she has learned that freedom isn't always about dramatic leaps—it is the quiet power to shape your own path. She leads platforms like Inner Wheel, Rotary Club, and JITO in Pune, steering community service and national-level networking. A health crisis in her early 30s deepened her understanding of freedom. 'That experience sharpened my belief that my mental and physical well-being is the truest form of freedom—the ability to live fully and on one's own terms.'
Earn own money, live my life my way: Diya Bafna (22)
And for Gen Z, freedom is a completely different ballgame—louder, bolder, and unapologetically their own. At 22, Diya Bafna isn't waiting for permission—she's claiming her space with flair. A Pune-based YouTuber and influencer with over 145k Instagram followers, she makes waves across fashion, food, and finance, proving that knowledge and style can go hand in hand. 'Freedom? It's about speaking up, doing your thing, and not letting anyone tell you who to be,' she says. 'I want to make my own choices, earn my own money, and live life my way—no approvals, no judgment.'
Bafna is pursuing a PG in Luxury Brand Management while completing her Certified Financial Planning certification. She earns over a lakh a month from her content, enough to fully support herself and reinvest in her ventures. 'I set my own rules—and trust me, that's liberating,' she adds. Her content isn't just lifestyle; it's influenced with intention. Diya blends financial advice with relatable stories, empowering other young women to take control of their money, careers, and choices.
Over seven decades after Independence, Indian women have moved from survival to self-expression, from silence to voice, from tradition-bound roles to deliberate choices. And while each generation builds upon the gains of the last, the journey toward full freedom—especially financial freedom—is an ongoing one, empowering women not just to live, but to shape the lives they desire.
(Neha Mithun Rathod is an intern with The Indian Express)