Age of Consent Act 1891: History, Phulmoni Dasi and Women's Rights
The Age of Consent Act, 1891: History, Phulmoni Dasi and Women's Rights in India Introduction: A Law That Changed the Debate on Women's Rights The nineteenth century was a period of major social and political transformation in India. During British rule, several social practices became the subject of public debate, particularly child marriage, women's education, widowhood and the rights of women. One important development was the Age of Consent Act, 1891 , a law that raised the legally recognised age of consent for girls from 10 to 12 years under the Indian Penal Code. The legislation emerged after years of discussion among Indian social reformers, colonial officials and conservative groups. The tragic death of a young Bengali girl named Phulmoni Dasi became an important turning point in the debate. Although the law introduced only a limited change by modern standards, it represented an important moment in the history of women's protection and social reform in colonia...