Village life pivots around women. And – at the same time – they are often pushed to sidelines, quietened, ignored. Here we look at how and why that happens, and champion those working to change it. We would also feature LGBTQ individuals and communities who are all too often overlooked in rural India.
Gender
The portrayal of women in Kalighat paintings
Kalighat paintings offer a fascinating glimpse into the complex and evolving relationship between societal expectations, gender roles, and females in India. By portraying women as both symbols of tradition and catalysts for change, the art form serves as a valuable record of a transformative period. The contemporary depiction of women in Kalighat can be seen as a continuing struggle for gender equality and women’s rights in today’s society.
Her cafe’s Kangri dham a big draw
Started by Manisha Thakur in 2022, Her cafe is an all-women-run cafe in Bir that serves local Himachali delicacies and provides the feel of a home-cooked meal in their village-inspired cafe setting.
Reimagining the idea of processed foods
A Chennai-based food technologist, with the help of farmers, has pioneered a movement of consciously processed foods and given a completely new dimension to the idea of healthy eating.
Managing menstrual waste in the Andamans
With populations rising, changes in lifestyle, and increased tourism, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands face the challenge of managing waste, which can lead to serious health and ecological impacts. Let’s see how the village of Wandoor is keeping itself clean.
Teenage Madhubani artist from Bihar eyes brighter future for herself
Once unsure about her future, today Alisha Perween, from Bihar is on her way to becoming a sure-footed Madhubani artist. All thanks to a women’s empowerment programme, this school-goer now has concrete ideas about what to do next.
Looms of Ladakh – weaving pashmina dreams
Looms of Ladakh, a cooperative founded in 2017, transforms the lives of women across 16 villages. Empowering them through a farm-to-fashion model, it ensures artisans are involved in every step of production, from raw wool to luxury products.
Bihar’s all-women Musahar musicians beat drums of change
Founded in 2013, Sargam Mahila Band from the Musahar community makes a bold statement against caste discrimination and stereotypes, earning remuneration, recognition and respect.
A lifeline for destitute women in rural West Bengal
Life for the residents of Ananda Kendra, a shelter for women who have been trafficked, abused or abandoned, in Bengal, was a living nightmare till before they sought refuge here. They tell Village Square how the shelter saved them.
Lado Panchayat — How Haryana’s rural women are rewriting rules of patriarchy
Haryana’s Lado Panchayat, born out of a movement in 2012, provides a platform for women to voice their concerns, challenge patriarchal norms and fight for gender equality and empowerment.