Mental Illness and Violence Against Women

stop violence against women and orange handprint

It is no secret that women are the primary victims of sexual and physical assault. Recent conversations on gender based violence have been centred around holding men accountable. Meanwhile, there has been insufficient dialogue about the effects of this violence on women . In particular, the link between gender based violence and mental health remains overlooked. Domestic Violence Against Women …

#SayftyChat: Mental Health

#Sayftychat is our weekly Twitter chat that explores topics related to women’s safety and preventing violence against women (#VAW). This week (May 6, 2019) on our Twitter chat, #sayftychat, we discussed ‘Mental Health’. May is Mental Health Awareness Month and this week’s chat was focussed on the importance of raising awareness of Mental Health issues. We had participants join the chat from …

Child Marriage – A Worldwide Epidemic

The Many Perils of the Child Marriage Trend While the vast majority of countries today have elected 18 as the minimum marrying age, this does not dispel the rising rates of child marriage worldwide. Many of us tend to think that this traumatic practice solely exists in non-Western, developing countries run by evil dictators, this is far from the case. …

The Many Facets of Violence Against Women

The Widespread Nature of Violence Against Women (VAW) Before I begin, I’d like to give a couple of disclaimers. If any readers are sensitive to the discussion about sexual trauma, please read with caution. This blog post outlines the prominence of VAW in several areas of life, which may induce anxiety for certain people. Additionally, I would like to disclose …

Female Genital Mutilation – An Overview

Female Genital Mutilation affects approximately 200 million girls and women worldwide  This is not a pleasant topic. It is neither light nor settling. However, we must remember that awareness is a respite, as opposed to a burden. It’s one of the truest benefits we reap from living in an era highly addicted to social media. It’s easier now than ever to …

Marital Rape – A Sordid Saga

“Marriage is a sacred institution – collaboration of two souls”. “Marriage is a bond of trust, respect and love”. We have heard of such beautiful quotes and sayings many a times, which describe the meaning of this devout institution – called marriage. But is the sanctity of marriage alive ? Marriage is a sacred institution but not a license to rape. Consent  from both …

Origins of Patriarchy

  Society is divided according to gender, among other factors. Gender as John Zerzan writes in his book, Patriarchy, Civilisation and the Origins of Gender, is not the same as the differences and distinctions between the sexes, but is rather a “cultural categorisation and ranking grounded in a sexual division of labour that may be the single cultural form of …

Womaniya – You and Only You Can Help Yourself!

Brace up and refuse to succumb….. Women Empowerment & Women Safety – The topic seems complex, heavy and hardcore ‘women’s lib’ kinds. I am no cotton-sari-clad activist or any budding neta-in. Neither am I a pro in women specific stats nor a part of policy making system. I am a regular woman with a normal family and a usual 9-to-6 job. …

No Country for Women?

On 16th December 2014, the National Commission for Women released an advertisement in all national newspapers. The advertisement under reference praised all women of the country by calling them brave and fearless. It “saluted” the spirit of womanhood in India. It was a move on the part of the state to appear as a body that respects women and believes …