58 ~~ SOCIAL SCIENTIST employment and an accelerated decline in women's employment since 1951.4 Women's work participation had declined steadily through the colonial period and, after a small rise duripg 1951-61, had declined again during 1961-71. This decline was most pronounced in manufacturing, trade and commerce. In trade and commerce, women's participation had dropped from 2,226.000 in 1911 to 556,000 in 1971; in the non-household manufacturing, it had declined from 4,391,000 in 1911 to 865,000 in 1971.5 Women were also wiped out in large numbers from their large-scale participation in jute, textiles and mining.6 Although 73 9% of all working women were in agriculture in 1911 and 81.3% in 1971, the process of proletarianization was pushing them increasingly into the category of agricultural labourers. Therefore, in 1911 about 18 million women were cultivators and 13 million agricultural labourers while in 1971 about 16 million were cultivators and 20 million agricultural labourers.7 It needs to be noted that during 1961-71, the percentage of agricultural labourers to total workers in agriculture rose from 24.04% to 38 04% while the percentage of workers to the total population declined from 49.73% to 35.95%.8 Regional variation in women's work participation in agriculture is an important consideration since the states, (with the exception of West Bengal) with a high and growing percentage of agricultural labourers like Kerala, Andhra, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra witnessed militant agrarian struggles during this period. Increase in women's employment was mainly "in the poverty oriented occupations, i.e. personal and domestic services".9 Poverty was forcing an increasing number of women into prostitution; the growing trend of trafficking in women and commodification of women for business purposes pointed to the devaluation of women. The struggles in the '70s could, therefore, be placed in the Context of this generalised decline in women's living conditions and social status. Politically, this period also witnessed increasing Opposition-led movements against the ruling Congress government and party at the regional and national levels. The Congress itself had faced internal splits and polarisation. The participation of women in struggles in this period needs to be considered in the context of these developments also. In Kerala, this period saw the development of Communist-led mass movements by workers, peasants, students, teachers on their own issues as well as on general issues. A striking feature during 1971-73 was the militant participation of women in the Communist-led Karshaka Thozhilali Union (Agricultural Workers Union) agitation for the right to land, homestead, higher wages, etc. These struggles were spread over Central Travancorc, Alleppey, Kottayam; women participated in large numbers and their militancy even in the face of repression let loose by the landlords and police is still remembered by the people. Commenting on one of their demonstrations, a newspaper noted, "In their raising slogans and in their enthusiasm, the women left the men far behind. It was as if they had taken over Alleppey for the day. It was impossible (o estimate how