Defining a #ProgressiveWoman – where do we even begin?

The dictionary defines ‘Progressive’ as ideas or systems that are new and modern, and that encourage change and development. A progressive person is someone who has modern ideas about how things should be done, rather than traditional ones, someone who works towards bringing about social reform and inspires others. 

Today, progressive women are looked up to, celebrated for their ideas and achievements and are leading from the front to bring about social change. But when it comes to defining a ‘progressive woman’, it becomes a complex exercise. 

A simple search on Google for ‘Progressive Women of India’ draws up over 5.8 crore results. The top results include that of a society called All India Progressive Women’s Association, Ads that Portray Progressive Woman in India, Inspirational Woman, and images of some recognised women journalists. 

As we scroll through more search pages on Google, the results were even more baffling. There were reports of adultery, empowerment, Indian Woman and Protests, Women and ‘The Progressive Man’. However, there were a handful of relevant results, too, that pointed us in the right direction. One such result was a popular TV channel’s journey over the last two decades. It talked about how their programming line-up over the years changed the basic portrayal of woman in the country. It recognised woman at the centre of the family, an industrialist, top cop, a mountaineer, an athlete and in many other such roles where women were not expected or perceived to be before. 

Today, a progressive woman can come from any background, any strata and any region and not just the privileged and educated class – be it the feisty Kangana Ranaut or Kiran Bedi or Kiran Majumdar Shaw or Mary Kom or Sushma Swaraj or  your maid who is struggling against odds to educate her children. 

There are some who equate ‘progressive woman’ with a feminist. Then there are others who would want to confine her to the many roles that she plays. Some see a progressive woman in the family’s bread-earner; there are even those who see women who take on a man’s role and mannerisms as being progressive. 

Adgully raises a very simple question – Can you define a Progressive Woman of India? Join the conversation in the first-ever Twitter panel between 3 pm and 4 pm over three days – March 6, 7 and 8 – at @adgully.