Anna Chandy made her mark in the pre-Independence era of India as a first generation feminist, who strived for equality of the sexes in all walks of life.
Anna
was born on 4th May 1905 in Trivandrum. She lost after father soon after
her birth and was brought up in the matrilineal tradition, by her mother a
brave and capable woman, who imbued her with a sense of self-esteem and independence.
Anna
grew up during the reign of Maharani Sethu Lakshmi Bayi – the Regent of
Travancore, who encouraged the education of women. Anna was the first woman in
Kerala to obtain a Law degree, and went on to do her postgraduation in 1926, at
the Government College of Trivandrum. She became a practising Barrister in 1929
and specialized in Criminal Law.
In
1930, Anna stood for elections to the Shree Mulam Popular Assembly. Needless to
say there was much opposition from the narrow-minded men of that time, who
believed that a woman’s place was in the home, and she was created for the
domestic pleasure of her spouse. Their patriarchal minds believed that when
women ventured out of their homes it brought about chaos and unhappiness in the
family. They even started a smear campaign insinuating an affair with the Dewan
of Travancore. But Anna was made of sterner stuff. She stood again for the
elections in 1931. This time she won a place in the Assembly for a tenure of
two years from 1932 – 1934.
In
1937, Anna was appointed by the Dewan, as the first female District Judge in
Travancore. Of course her opponents were determined to prove that she being a
woman could not make logical unbiased decisions. But Anna worked sincerely,
determined to make a success of her career. Her efficiency was rewarded by her
elevation to be the Judge of the Kerala High Court in 1959. She continued to
hold this post till 1967, proving to her male antagonists that here career had
been nothing but illustrious.
Anna
fought tirelessly for the rights of women who were held in subjugation by the
tenets of patriarchy. Women were prevented from pursuing higher education. They
had no voting rights. Every profession was male dominated, so that jobs for
women were scarce.
Anna
started a magazine called “Shrimathi,’ which served as a platform for the
advancement of women’s rights. She fought for reservation in government jobs
and against wage discrimination among labourers. She championed laws to permit
widows to remarry. Though she never married, Anna fought for Women’s
Reproductive Rights, insisting that women’s bodies were not toys for the
pleasure of men. According to Travancore Law of that time, men were allowed
conjugal rights without consent from wives. She insisted that every woman must
have control over her own body.
Anna
was a champion of Gender Equality. By equality she did not mean concessions for
women. In 1035, she raised objections against women being exempted from the
death penalty and this must have surprised the judiciary.
Anna
was the first woman among Commonwealth nations to become a High Court judge.
She was the second female judge in the world, the first being Florence Allan of
USA who became a judge in 1922. After her retirement, she served on the Law
Commission of India.
Anna
wrote her biography ‘Atmakatha’ leaving behind her story of courage and
determination, from which women can draw inspiration. She died at the ripe old
age of 91 in the year 1996. Though she was born a Syrian Christian, Anna Chandy
was interred as a Catholic.
