The Project of retrieving women's history' some recent developments

Abstract

The current interest in women's history and particularly in 'retrieving women's history' can be claimed as a direct outcome of the movement for women's liberation of the late 1960s and early 1970s. It is also associated with the increasing ascendancy of women's studies as a discipline in its own right, during the same period and subsequently. Two components of women's history have gained predominance as forming parts of this important project. They are: (a) An enquiry into the role and contribution of women for equal rights as well as their participation in movements for political economic and social change, and the respective roles and the contribution of women as individuals. (b) Development of theories and c6ncepts required for a just appraisal and assessment of the contributions of women in history In this context it is proposed by this study to examine some of the recent developments which have taken place in the above mentioned areas in order to understand the nature and to assess the significance of these developments.