FROM MARGIN TO MAINSTREAM: MUSLIM WOMEN IN MALABAR POLITICS

Abstract

The political participation of Muslim women in Malabar has evolved from historical marginalization to a gradually increasing presence in public life, shaped largely by educational advancement, social reform movements, and community activism. Historically, patriarchal norms, conservative interpretations of religion, and the minority status of Muslims in India restricted women’s access to education, social mobility, and political engagement. The social renaissance in Kerala, spearheaded by religious reformers, educational initiatives, and community organizations, provided Muslim women with opportunities to acquire education, thereby laying the foundation for their involvement in political processes. Despite these advancements, representation of Muslim women in electoral politics—particularly in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies—remains limited, though local governance participation has shown measurable improvement. This study examines the historical trajectory and contemporary patterns of Muslim women’s political participation in the Valluvanad region, highlighting the influence of education, community organizations, and political mobilization. Findings reveal that increased access to education, combined with sustained social reform, has enabled Muslim women to gradually claim their space in decision-making, contributing to social, economic, and political transformation within their communities. The study underscores the ongoing structural, cultural, and institutional challenges that continue to constrain full political inclusion, while emphasizing education as the key driver of empowerment.