Gender

her life

The notice that proves no one takes dowry in this village

Families sign an anti-dowry pact in Babawayil village and rule violations entail social boycott from the masjid and graveyard. There’s been no violation in 40 years.

her life

Not all rainbows for trans people in Mizoram

Bullying and trolling of the LGBTQ community in Mizoram have led to stalling of a project to build shelter homes for abandoned, homeless trans people.

her life

Maharashtra villages lead the way in widow reforms

Though home to many reformers, Maharashtra continues to see archaic practices such as customs associated with widowhood. However, villages like Herwad have led the way to ban these traditions and embrace widow reforms.

her life

Male dancer takes Punjab giddha stage by storm

Noor Zora – born as Zorawar Sigh - is hugely popular despite being a man who dresses up as a female to perform the women-only folk dance

her life

Rural women farmers plough their way to financial freedom

With a good push from self-help groups and NGOs, women who had never stepped out of their house without a man, are now earning a decent living and a lot of respect from farming.

her life

Jungle Warriors: Odisha women set up jungle huts to save forests

Women in Nayagarh district’s villages start jungle kutirs that serve as a resource hub where they gather and make plans to protect jungles as also individuals’ forest rights.

her life

How a tribal women-run magazine changes life for the better

Mahila Navodayam, a Telugu magazine meaning “new dawn”, published for women and by women, brings about social changes and women’s empowerment – despite initial hardships.

her life

Kudumbashree: A 3-tiered programme tackling Kerala’s gender-based violence

Tackling gender-based violence, Kerala’s Kudumbashree programme works on the three principles of transformation, prevention and support - offering community-based centres and counselling for those in need.

her life

Nagaland: Young girl breaks the norm, drums her way towards her dreams

A teen teaches herself to play the drums, encourages other girls to hone their innate talents and nurtures future dreams for her village in Nagaland that is shedding patriarchy.

her life

Weaving a way out of destitution

Weaving indigenous handloom clothes offers destitute women and those who have been trafficked a safe and stable livelihood in the hills of Darjeeling.

her life

Being LGBTQ in rural India

What does being LGBTQ mean in rural India and what are the legal strangleholds that make LGBTQ life a challenge in small town India? We take a look at Village Square in celebration of Pride Day.

her life

The tale and telling of queerness in Bengal’s Bhadu songs

When queerness was criminalised in the 19th century, queer-trans people took refuge in the Bhadu folklore that saw them as goddess-incarnates and also gave them visibility.

her life

Forbidden love in rural Punjab

Their love is strong, but life is a struggle for this lesbian couple from rural Punjab. Without a law that recognises same-sex marriage, like many they struggle to rent homes and often hide their identity.

her life

Court unites lesbian couple separated by family

A young lesbian couple, forcibly separated by their families and reunited thanks to a court intervention, are filled with hope, though bracing themselves for a tough future.

her life

Help desks and counselling reduce gender-based violence

Bringing down gender-based violence (GBV) in remote Odisha villages, “GBV warriors” set up help desks, offer counselling and point victims towards Sakhi centres that offer medical and legal help.

her life

Celebrating rural women – with no bias

Every day is International Women’s Day at Village Square where we champion India’s rural women - too often unseen or ignored by the rest of the world. That is why we created our Her Life series that features stories of ordinary women doing extraordinary things. In their own words. With no bias.

her life

The power of exposure trips

Four years ago, program officer Ankita Goyal accompanied a group of tribal women on their first trip out of their village. Little did she know this “exposure visit” would turn out to be a life-changing experience for her.

her life

Fish on their plate, money in their wallet

In underdeveloped Mayurbhanj, Odisha, women sustainably cultivate fish that not only brings them money but ensures better nutrition for their family.

her life

A young woman engineer spurs hope for pottery in Kashmir

Traditional potters struggling to survive are confident of better business again after a young woman who found hope through pottery is bringing it back into the limelight.

her life

Joy of making banking accessible to women

Local banker Lakhimi Baruah saw how women were ignored in banks so launched Assam’s first cooperative bank for women, ensuring thousands of marginalised women get access to banks, gaining financial literacy and empowerment.