Kumartuli is a colourful neighbourhood in Kolkata, famous for its stunning idols, especially during the grand celebration of Durga Puja. The artisans here create beautiful representations of various deities, pouring their skill and creativity into each piece. However, the stories of the women who work tirelessly behind these idols often go unnoticed. While they play […]
The Unfinished Symphony of Gender Equality: A Global Imperative
Picture a world where everyone, regardless of gender, has equal opportunities to thrive. This is the vision of gender equality—an essential human right and a cornerstone of just and prosperous societies. Yet, despite significant progress, the journey towards true gender equality remains fraught with challenges. As we strive for a more equitable future, it is […]
How gender stereotypes hinder our potential as women
The understanding of a “gender stereotype” Gender stereotypes are defined as “a set of characteristics and traits that are automatically and rigidly attributed to members of the categories girls and boys”. They influence our thoughts, judgments, expectations and attitudes, and are more perceptible in mixed than in non-mixed environments. More specifically, gender stereotypes refer to […]
Ain’t I a Woman: Our Paralyzed Fragments
“Your body was like an almond Soft, smooth and so soothing For a nocturnal jaunt Any animal can ruin You subtly fast capturing, Mooring you to his bed post…” He was her fiftieth customer, Whose horrible bed manners Replaying in her head, Tugged at her nauseous chest. “Conscience” rolling, mangled fell For the zillionth time. […]
Women First? The Gendered Impact of War on Gaza
In the continuum of events materializing in a war zone, we often turn a blind eye towards the plight of women and their access to basic rights. Although war’s savagery affects both women and men, it always has an inordinate gendered impact on women’s lives. Beyond the perspective of states, political leaders and soldiers, the […]
The Same-Sex Marriage Verdict: A Call for Social Reform
Let me begin this article by identifying myself as an ally of the LGBTQIA+ community. An ally is a person who identifies as a cisgender and heterosexual individual but believes in the cause of the queer community. But this also explains that I have some particular rights, sanctioned to me just because I am a […]
Embracing Inclusivity: The Power of Gender-Neutral Language
Language is a powerful tool that shapes our perception of the world and reflects our attitudes towards others. In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of using gender-neutral language to promote inclusivity and challenge traditional gender stereotypes. The recent revision of the definitions of “man” and “woman” by the Cambridge […]
India’s labor market and gender divide: Has the pandemic affected it?
Labor market in India has long suffered from the problem of glaring gender divide. In this blog the author explores whether the ongoing pandemic has widened this divide further? Let’s find out. The worst of the Covid-19 pandemic likely still lingers in our not-so distant memories. The pandemic came into our lives as a sudden […]
“Memory by Memory” Asserting Histories, Memories and Experiences to Thwart Queer Invisibilization
“You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may trod me in the very dirt But still, like dust, I’ll rise.” -Maya Angelou I always wonder why is it so important to remember history and more than often I get the same answer- “Those who cannot remember the past […]
Gender pronouns and personal choice: Exploring the unexplored
Gender is indeed one of our complex volatile identities that we construct through our social interactions. Gone are the days when the concept of ‘gender’ was perceived to biological binaries of ‘men and women’. The society has indeed evolved from such Parsonian views towards a more complex ethnomethodological understanding of gender as a constructed social […]
