One film came and controversy arose. The furore over India’s Daughter, a documentary based on the December 2012 Delhi gang rape has been a subject of discussion over the past few weeks. Not just the content of the film, but issues like a ban on its broadcast have resulted in the documentary being discussed by people in India and across …
Category: Women Health
The Many ‘Missing Voices’ in “India’s Daughter”
One film came and controversy arose. The furore over India’s Daughter, a documentary based on the December 2012 Delhi gang rape has been a subject of discussion over the past few weeks. Not just the content of the film, but issues like a ban on its broadcast have resulted in the documentary being discussed by people in India and across …
Does Woman Mean “Woe-Men” in India?
The janitor in her school raped a good friend of mine when she was less than 8-years-old. She was in the girls’ toilet, all by herself, when this heinous crime occurred. When she came home and told her parents about the violence, most of which she couldn’t comprehend, her doctor father conducted a finger test to ensure whether or not …
Women in Pakistan – Breaking Barriers and Creating Their Own Destinies
Women in Pakistan are now coming out of their houses to study and work. Their perceptions toward education and literacy have changed remarkably over the last decade. You all have probably heard about Mala Yousufzai bringing home the Nobel Peace prize for Pakistan. This coveted award has not only added fuel to the present drive coming about amongst teenagers and …
The Night that Changed Everything
She walked back home as usual on what was an ordinary night, It was a long walk on a lonely road with no one in sight. The sense of loneliness and uncertainty made her feel queer, But she held her head high and kept walking muffling her fear. Lurking in the dark, sat a beast disguised as a man, He …
Shielded and Oblivious: What Does the Absence of Sex Education in Schools Mean?
Life in an all girls’ school is unlike anything people belonging to a different world could imagine. In fact, it’s quite a world in itself. A world with rules, norms and presumptions of its own. Which is why for most convent girls, college is nothing less than a dramatic change. It’s not like they feel any less grateful towards school. …
Feminism or Basic Human Rights?
Growing up in an ordinary, military, middle-class family, I didn’t expect myself to become a feminist. When I was a teenager, the prevailing view was that feminism meant being anti-men. Feminists were women who were divorced, widowed, or victims of abuse and hated everything to do with men. They lobbied for women’s freedoms only so that they could take away …
Nirbheek in Today’s World: How Feasible is a Gun for Women?
The Indian Ordnance Factory in Kanpur has taken the call to give more power to women in the country quite seriously. As a tribute to the young girl who was gang raped on December 16, 2012 and whom the nation collectively christened Nirbhaya for her unparalleled courage, the IOF has manufactured Nirbheek, a 0.32 bore light weight revolver which is …
Insignificant Other: The Political Ball Called Women’s Empowerment
“The thing women have yet to learn is nobody gives you power. You just take it.” ~Roseanne Barr The memories of the horrendous gang rape that took place on December 16, 2012 haven’t faded yet. More reports of rape, sexual harassment and domestic violence act as constant reminders of the socio-cultural mess India has become. The constant violation of rights …
The Blatant Unfairness of Gender Testing
Sports, one would think, is a lot about fair play, team work, respect, acknowledgment and appreciation of the worthy. Everyone gets a chance to race for the ribbon in their own track and space. While you give it your all, you don’t hog, manipulate, or take away from other people’s achievements. At least, not in an ideal world. But in …