“Women's Education Movement Of Syrian Catholic Mission In Kanyakumari District”

Abstract

The Syrian Catholic women’s education movement in South Travancore (modern-day Kanyakumari district) represents a transformative chapter in India’s educational and social history. Rooted in the spiritual and social missions of the Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara Catholic traditions, this movement prioritized inclusive, value-based, and gender-sensitive education, particularly for the marginalized. Drawing on theological imperatives of equality and service, the movement challenged caste and gender barriers, established pioneering girls’ schools, and produced generations of women educators, healthcare workers, and social reformers. This paper explores the historical context, pedagogical vision, institutional foundations, and long-term legacy of the movement, situating it within broader narratives of social justice, nation-building, and religious pluralism in South India.