The Bharata Mahila Parishad (Indian Women's Conference) was inaugurated in 1904 as part of the National Social Conference. In the past century, women mostly met at local associations that were organized by male reformers on their behalf. For this reason, the Indian Women Conference was unusual: it was solely arranged by women who decided that no men should be admitted. The conference urged for female education and focused on social issues such as lack of medical care, early marriage, and child wellfare. In subsequent meetings, between 300 and 700 women attended. They were beginning to formulate strategies for women; most of their efforts were still directed towards understanding and formulating issues.
Source:
Forbes, Geraldine. Women in Colonial India. New Delhi, Chronicle Books, 2005.