In 1917, which Irish woman along with Annie Besant and Sarojini Naidu founded the Women's Indian Association (WIA) in Adyar, Madras, to bring awareness among women?

The correct answer is Margaret Cousins.

Key Points

• Margaret Cousins, an Irish suffragist, played a significant role in women's rights movements in both Ireland and India.
• In 1917, she co-founded the Women's Indian Association (WIA) in Adyar, Madras, along with Annie Besant and Sarojini Naidu.
• The Women's Indian Association aimed to bring awareness and upliftment to women in India through education and social reforms.
• Margaret Cousins was also a key figure in advocating for women's suffrage and worked closely with Indian leaders to promote women's participation in the political process.
• Her efforts contributed significantly to the progress of women's rights in India during the early 20th century.

Additional Information

• Women's Indian Association (WIA)
  • Founded in 1917, WIA was one of the earliest women's organizations in India, focusing on social, educational, and political reforms for women.
  • The association aimed to address issues such as women's education, healthcare, and legal rights.
  • WIA played a crucial role in advocating for women's suffrage and was instrumental in the passage of several laws benefiting women.
  • It also worked towards creating awareness about women's issues and promoting women's participation in public life.
• Annie Besant
  • Annie Besant was a prominent British socialist, theosophist, and women's rights activist who moved to India and became a leading figure in Indian politics.
  • She was a strong advocate for Indian self-rule and co-founded the Home Rule League in 1916.
  • Besant was also the President of the Indian National Congress in 1917 and played a key role in the Indian independence movement.
  • Her efforts in social reform included advocating for women's education and rights, aligning with the goals of the Women's Indian Association.
• Sarojini Naidu
  • Sarojini Naidu, also known as the "Nightingale of India," was a poet, freedom fighter, and a prominent leader in the Indian independence movement.
  • She was the first woman to become the President of the Indian National Congress and the first woman to serve as a governor in independent India.
  • Naidu was a passionate advocate for women's rights and worked alongside Margaret Cousins and Annie Besant in the Women's Indian Association.
  • Her contributions to Indian politics and women's empowerment have left a lasting legacy in India's history.
• Women's Suffrage Movement in India
  • The women's suffrage movement in India gained momentum in the early 20th century, with various women's organizations advocating for the right to vote.
  • Efforts by leaders like Margaret Cousins, Annie Besant, and Sarojini Naidu were instrumental in pushing for women's suffrage.
  • The Government of India Act 1935 granted limited voting rights to women, marking a significant step towards gender equality.
  • Full voting rights were eventually achieved with the adoption of the Indian Constitution in 1950, ensuring universal adult suffrage.