1. All over India, a number of autonomous women's groups have been working to fight oppression of women. These groups do not receive financial support from the government, but generally mobilize their own human and financial resources to fight for the cause of women.

2. After independence, it took nearly 25 years for the emergence of women's groups and organizations, which took up women's issues from a feminist viewpoint. The observance of the International Women's decade between 1975-1985 led to the starting of courses on women's studies in many universities and colleges as well as action programmes organized by women's groups to sensitize the society to women's issues.

3. A number of women's groups emerged in different parts of the country to raise basic questions about gender inequality and initiate action to counter these inequalities. These groups, known as autonomous (independent) women's groups, did not have a connection with any political party. These autonomous women's groups did not believe in simply submitting representations or sending delegations to meet political leaders and request for action.

4. On the contrary, they created a forum for women to meet and discuss issues that were affecting them and chalk out strategies to tackle all forms of oppression in society. Though educated middle class women took the initiative in forming and managing these groups, they took up the problems of working class women, tribal women, peasant women and dalit women. Yet another unique feature of the autonomous women's movement was the participation of women from all castes and classes. The autonomous women's groups also joined hands with other progressive movements, such as student movements, tribal movements, environment movements, anti-price rise movements or movements for equal wages.