How Hansa Mehta Helped Equalise Universal Declaration Of Human Rights

United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) president Dennis Francis paid homage to Indian freedom fighter Hansa Jivraj Mehta on International Day for Women in Diplomacy on June 24, highlighting her indispensable role in making the Universal Declaration of Human Rights more inclusive. Mehta is credited for introducing more gender-neutral language in the document, successfully arguing against the usage of "men" as a synonym for humanity. The phrase "All men are born free and equal" was changed to "All human beings are born free and equal" in Article 1 of the UDHR at the behest of Mehta.

UNGA president Francis highlighted the significance of gender equality in diplomacy, stating that it propels societal progress towards women's rights and opportunities. He asked, "Would the Universal Declaration of Human Rights be truly universal today if Hansa Mehta had not insisted its opening line be changed from 'all men' to 'all human beings' are born free and equal?"

Who Was Hansa Jivraj Mehta?

This is the story of a young, 22-year-old Gujarati woman who sailed for Britain in September 1919 to attend the London School of Economics. Hansa Mehta, a well-known nationalist leader and an early feminist, became the first female vice-chancellor of an Indian institution that accepted both men and women.

On July 3, 1897, Hansa Jivraj Mehta was born in Surat, Gujarat. She began studying philosophy at Baroda College before moving to England to pursue sociology and journalism. Mehta first met Sarojini Naidu in London in 1920, and it was through her that she was later introduced to Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian women's freedom movement.

In June 1920, she went to Geneva with Naidu as part of a delegation of Indian women to attend the Eighth Conference of the International Woman Suffrage Alliance, which included women from 39 countries, including the mother-daughter pair of Herabai Tata and Mithan Tata, who were enrolled at the LSE.

Mehta's victory in the 1937 Bombay Legislative Council election secured her political destiny. Mehta engaged in Swadeshi and non-cooperation activities. Her imprisonment in 1932 was the result of her involvement in India's liberation fight. After declining a reserved seat, she ran as a general category candidate. Mehta served on the council until 1949.

Mehta became deeply active with the All India Women's Conference at this time, and in 1946 she was elected its president. She wrote the Indian Women's Charter of Rights and Duties during her presidency, which called for women to have equal rights to civic freedoms and gender equality.

Mehta was also a member of the United Nations Subcommittee on the Situation of Women in 1946. She co-chaired the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights Committee alongside Eleanor Roosevelt. Furthermore, she was appointed to SNDT University in Bombay, making her the first female vice-chancellor in India.

Mehta was one of the Indian Constitution's fifteen female framers. She was elected to the Constituent Assembly from Bombay on a Congress Party ticket. She made a compelling case for women's rights in the Assembly and spoke up during debates over reservations and the unified civil code.

The National Portrait Gallery in London has a studio portrait of Hansa Mehta with two men: her father and husband. In 1959, the Indian government honoured her with the Padma Bhushan. She died on April 4th, 1995.