“‘I know.” Ma chuckled. “Maybe that makes us tough. Rich fellas come up an’ they die, an’ their kids ain’t no good, an’ they die out. But, Tom, we keep a-comin’. Don’ you fret none, Tom. A different time’s comin’.”
In John Steinbeck’s 1939 novel, The Grapes of Wrath, Ma Joad, the emotional and physical anchor of the Joad family, delivers this powerful message to her son Tom during a moment of despair brought on by the Great Depression. The poignant scene highlights Ma Joad’s resilience and intense hope even in the middle of immense hardship. While not traditionally considered a hero, Ma Joad emerges as one, her words resonating with the enduring strength women show in times of crisis. Throughout history, economic downturns have disproportionately impacted women, making them the “shock absorbers”. This isn’t a metaphor; it’s a consequence of the systemic inequalities embedded in our social and economic structures. From the Industrial Revolution to the Great Recession, women, whether workers or homemakers, have faced harsher consequences and shouldered heavier burdens during economic hardship.
During the Industrial Revolution, while men entered factories for wage labour, women were relegated to domestic work, often in their own homes. As Barbara Ehrenreich highlighted in her book Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America, such work remains precarious, with women’s incomes failing to rise with prosperity or fall with recession.
The “feminised” service sector remains particularly vulnerable to economic fluctuations, as seen by the disproportionate job losses women faced during the 2008 crash. Economic instability often translates to increased burdens on women within the household. They face the brunt of rising food and healthcare costs, often sacrificing their own needs for the well-being of their families. The COVID pandemic was a stark example. UN estimates suggest that women’s unpaid care work increased by an average of 50 per cent at the time, exacerbating existing inequalities. Economists like Amartya Sen have emphasised the crucial role women play in household economies, highlighting how their well-being is intricately linked to the broader economy.
Equally, history is replete with women who rose above their everyday roles to speak up when faced with adversity. The significant motivations for such uprisings have been the fight for freedom—social, economic, and political. But while the Suffragette and other feminist movements are well documented, the economic protests often remain unexplored.
One such under-recognised event in Indian history is the latnis agitation of the late 1960s and early 1970s in Maharashtra and Gujarat. Women, armed with rolling pins, fought corruption and hunger in a mass protest against inflation. This was a period when India was baby-stepping into self-reliance and socialism was not yet a bad word. The movement was unexpected for many reasons—women coming to the street to fight price rise was unheard of in Independent India or even anywhere abroad at that time.
As Saumya Kalia beautifully writes in this well-researched article, the latnis remind us of the importance of acknowledging historical patterns and dismantling systems that perpetuate inequalities. The latnis’ story serves as a powerful reminder that social safety nets, childcare infrastructure, and equal pay legislation are crucial steps to achieving gender equality. Also, amplifying women’s voices is essential to craft solutions that address the specific challenges they face.
Clara Zetkin, often referred to as the “Grandmother of German Communism”, aptly said: “When the men are silent, it is our duty to raise our voices on behalf of our ideals.” The latnis did just that. They are the Ma Joads who went the extra mile for themselves, their families, and for the country, knowing very well that “a different time’s comin”. Their story deserves to be read, studied, and celebrated. And you can do it in Frontline.
As always, write back with your comments.
Wishing you a lovely week ahead,
For Team Frontline,
Jinoy Jose P.
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