Devaki Jain

Devaki Jain
Devaki Jain
Born	1933 Mysore, Karnataka, India
Awards	Padma Bhusan
Academic background
Alma mater	University of Oxford
Academic work
Main interests	Feminist economics

Devaki Jain (born 1933) is an Indian economist and writer, who has worked mainly in the field of feminist economics. In 2006 she was awarded the Padma Bhusan, the third-highest civilian award from Government of India, for her contribution to social justice and the empowerment of women.

Jain was born in Mysore, the daughter of M. A. Sreenivasan, a civil servant and sometime Dewan (premier) of the princely state of Gwalior.

Jain studied at various convent schools in India and attended St Anne's College, Oxford. Having graduated from Oxford with a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, she then taught economics at Delhi University until 1969.

Through working on her book, Women in India, she involved herself in feminist issues. She took an active part in writing, lecturing, networking, building, leading, and supporting women.

Jain was founder of the Institute of Social Studies Trust (ISST) in New Delhi and served as director until 1994. She has also worked in the field of women’s employment and edited the book Indian Women for India’s International Women’s Year.

Gandhian philosophy has influenced Jain’s work and life. In line with this philosophy, her academic research has focused on issues of equity, democratic decentralisation, people-centreed development, and women’s rights. She has worked for local, national, and international women’s movements. She currently lives in Bangalore, India.

Jain has travelled extensively as a participant in many networks and forums. As Chair of the Advisory Committee on Gender for the United Nations Centre in Asia-Pacific, she has visited numerous countries, including most Pacific and Caribbean Island. In Africa, she has visited Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, Nigeria, Benin and Senegal, Liberia, Cote D’Ivoir, South Africa and Botswana. Along with Julius Nyerere, she had the privilege of meeting with and discussing the visions and concerns of African leaders. She is also a member of the erstwhile South Commission founded by Nyerere.

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