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
Three generations, one melody: Meet Saas Bahu Ki Jodi
Geeta Parag, who forms the ‘Saas Bahu ki Jodi’, a trio of bhakti (devotional) singers along with her mother-in-law and daughter in Madhya Pradesh, overcomes social dictates and inspires young women and girls to embrace their musical heritage.
From acid attacks to STEM, these NGOs are working on issues concerning women and girls across India
Health, education, livelihood, gender crime…. When it comes to the issues faced by women and girls, the list can be long. Here are some development organisations working towards making the country a better place for them.
How these rural women shatter stereotypes
Women, who once played traditional gender roles, are now working to uplift not just their own lives but also those of their communities. This International Women’s Day, we revisit inspiring rural women featured on Village Square.
The need for digital empowerment of rural women
India's digital landscape is booming, especially in rural areas, with significant growth in internet usage and digital payments. However, a gender-based digital divide persists, hindering women's empowerment.
4 Badass rural women who made history
From changing sexual harrassment laws to growing trees at the age of 112 – these rural women have contributed to significant impact in India.
Inspiring rural women who defied expectations
They had only a dream to start with. And they have made their mark in various fields with a never-quit spirit. This International Day of Rural Women, we revisit some inspiring stories covered on Village Square.
‘Queer community needs access to housing, health and jobs’
While homosexuality has been decriminalised in India, the LGBTQIA+ community continues to fight for dignity and access to basic amenities. Changing perceptions takes time, says Rajesh Srinivas of Sangama, an organisation working for the cause.
Fighting prejudice and promoting queer rights
We went on a quest to assemble a collection of LGBTQ+ tales across India, and found that the road leading to their rights is riddled with prejudices despite their tenacity and the dedication of activists.
Enthralling queer short stories from rural India
We are thrilled to share the winning entries of our Pride Day storytelling competition. These remarkable tales stole the show with their rich tapestry of narratives that exist within diverse communities in rural India.