Hansa Mehta

Hansa Jivraj Mehta (1897–1995) was a distinguished Indian reformer, educator, writer, and freedom fighter who played a key role in advancing women’s rights and education in India and in shaping international human rights discourse. A member of India’s Constituent Assembly and one of the few women to represent India in the United Nations, she is best remembered for her instrumental contribution to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), where she successfully advocated for inclusive language affirming equality for all human beings. Her life’s work reflects the values of gender equality, social justice, and education as pillars of nation-building.

Early Life and Education

Hansa Mehta was born on 3 July 1897 in Surat, Gujarat, into a progressive family. Her father, Manubhai Nandshankar Mehta, was a prominent statesman and Dewan of Baroda, while her grandfather, Nandshankar Mehta, was a noted author of the first Gujarati novel Karan Ghelo. Growing up in an intellectual environment, she was encouraged to pursue education and social awareness.
She studied at Baroda College and later travelled to England, where she obtained a degree in philosophy from the University of London. Exposure to Western liberal thought and reform movements strengthened her belief in education as a tool for empowerment and equality, especially for women.

Involvement in the Indian Freedom Movement

On returning to India, Hansa Mehta became actively involved in the Indian nationalist movement, inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s call for self-rule and social reform. She participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement and was arrested for her involvement in the Salt Satyagraha of 1930.
Hansa also emerged as a leading voice for women’s participation in the struggle for independence. She served as the President of the All India Women’s Conference (AIWC) in 1945, an organisation that championed women’s education, political representation, and legal rights. Under her leadership, the AIWC strongly opposed discriminatory personal laws and advocated for the codification of a uniform civil code to ensure gender justice.

Contribution to Women’s Education and Social Reform

Education remained Hansa Mehta’s lifelong mission. She was deeply influenced by the reformist ideals of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III of Baroda, who had introduced progressive educational reforms. She believed that true national development was impossible without the empowerment of women through education.
Her contributions in this field include:

• Vice-Chancellor of the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda (1949–1958): Hansa Mehta became the first woman vice-chancellor of an Indian university, where she implemented modern curricula and expanded access to higher education for women.
• Promotion of Girls’ Education: She established schools and vocational centres focusing on women’s self-reliance, technical skills, and leadership training.
• Educational Reforms: Advocated co-education, equal opportunity, and the inclusion of civic and moral instruction in schools.

Her educational philosophy combined academic excellence with social responsibility, reflecting her belief that educated women would become agents of change within families and communities.

Role in the Constituent Assembly of India

As a member of the Constituent Assembly (1946–1949), Hansa Mehta played a vital part in shaping independent India’s Constitution. She represented Bombay State and was among the few women involved in drafting key sections concerning fundamental rights and gender equality.
She strongly argued for:

• Equality before law and equal protection of rights for men and women.
• The inclusion of universal adult franchise, allowing both men and women to vote.
• Provisions ensuring education as a fundamental right.

Her advocacy helped enshrine gender equality and women’s empowerment as core principles of the Indian Constitution.

Contribution to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

One of Hansa Mehta’s most notable contributions was on the international stage. In 1946, she was appointed as India’s delegate to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, working alongside Eleanor Roosevelt and other global leaders in drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
During the drafting process, the original text of Article 1 read: “All men are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” Hansa Mehta objected to the phrase “all men,” arguing that it could be interpreted as excluding women. Owing to her insistence and persuasive reasoning, the wording was changed to “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.”
This change, now considered historic, marked a milestone in the global recognition of gender equality. It ensured that the UDHR spoke inclusively for all people, regardless of gender. Her intervention thus established India’s reputation as a progressive voice for equality and justice in the international arena.

Political and Administrative Roles

Beyond her constitutional and international roles, Hansa Mehta held several important administrative and political positions in independent India.

• Member of the United Nations Sub-Commission on the Status of Women (1947–1948), where she worked on policies addressing women’s rights worldwide.
• President of the All India Women’s Education Fund Association, promoting higher education for women.
• Member of the University Grants Commission (UGC), contributing to India’s educational planning and policy development.
• Vice-Chancellor of MS University of Baroda, as mentioned earlier, where she set a precedent for women in academic leadership.

She was also associated with various reformist organisations, including the Indian National Commission for Co-operation with UNESCO, and contributed to building an education system that aligned with democratic values and scientific temper.

Ideology and Vision

Hansa Mehta’s ideology combined nationalism, feminism, and humanism. She believed that freedom was incomplete without equality, and that women must be active participants in political, social, and educational reform.
Her vision included:

• Gender Equality: Legal and social parity for women in all spheres of life.
• Education for Empowerment: Making education accessible and relevant for both boys and girls.
• Social Reform: Eradicating practices such as child marriage, dowry, and gender discrimination.
• Democratic Values: Ensuring human rights, civic responsibility, and international cooperation for peace.

Awards and Recognition

For her outstanding contribution to education and public service, Hansa Mehta received several honours, including:

• Padma Bhushan (1959) – for her distinguished service to education and social reform.
• UN Recognition: Her role in drafting the UDHR continues to be acknowledged by international organisations and human rights bodies.