Throughout the Medieval period, the status of women went on declining. However, during the 14th and 15th centuries the social situation had undergone some changes. Ramanujacharya organized the first Bhakti Movement during this period which introduced new trends in the social and the religious life of women in India. The great saints like Chaitanya, Nanak, Meera, Kabir, Ramdas, Tulsidas and Tukaram stood for the right of women to religious worhship. Though the Bhakti movement did not have the intention of radically changing the status of Indian women it unlocked the gate of religious freedom to women.
As a result of this freedom, they secured certain social freedom also. The purdah system was abolished. Women could go out of their families to attend pravachanas, harikathas, kirtans (religious prayers), bhajans, dharmic utsav and so on. Bhakti movement stressed the importance of Grihasthashrama and as a result, the saints were made to take to 'sanyasa' only with the consent of the wife. This condition gave some important right to women. The saints of the Bhakti movement encouraged women to read religious books and to educate themselves.
The above explanation makes it clear that the Bhakti movement gave a new life to women. But this movement did not bring any change in the economic structure of the society and hence women continued to hold low status in the society.
As a result of this freedom, they secured certain social freedom also. The purdah system was abolished. Women could go out of their families to attend pravachanas, harikathas, kirtans (religious prayers), bhajans, dharmic utsav and so on. Bhakti movement stressed the importance of Grihasthashrama and as a result, the saints were made to take to 'sanyasa' only with the consent of the wife. This condition gave some important right to women. The saints of the Bhakti movement encouraged women to read religious books and to educate themselves.
The above explanation makes it clear that the Bhakti movement gave a new life to women. But this movement did not bring any change in the economic structure of the society and hence women continued to hold low status in the society.