United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) President Denis Francis paid tribute to India’s feminist leader, activist and diplomat Hansa Mehta on International Day for Women in Diplomacy. The UNGA President highlighted Mehta’s role in making the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) more inclusive.
Who is Hansa Mehta?
Hansa Jivraaj Mehta, born on 3 July 1897 in Gujarat, was a noted Indian scholar, educator, social reformer and writer. Mehta worked extensively for women’s rights throughout her life.
Mehta is credited with arguing against the reference to “men” as a synonym for humanity, and through her numerous efforts she succeeded in changing the phrase “all human beings are born free and equal” to “all human beings are born free and equal” in Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
She served as president of the All-India Women’s Conference in 1945–46, where she led the drafting of the “Indian Women’s Rights Charter”, demanding gender equality, civil rights and justice for women in India.
Hansa was also part of the Constituent Assembly that drafted the Indian Constitution. She was a member of its Advisory Committee and Sub-Committee on Fundamental Rights.
Hansa Mehta later served as the vice-president of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in 1950. She was also a member of the executive board of UNESCO.
Hansa Mehta as a writer
Hansa Mehta is also famous for writing children’s books in Gujarati, including Arunnu Adbhut Swapna (1934), Bablana Parakram (1929), Balvartavali Part 1-2 (1926,1929). She also translated parts of the Valmiki Ramayana such as Balakand and Sunderkand. She also translated English stories such as Gulliver’s Travels and some of Shakespeare’s plays.
