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
Small-town lesbian couple await same-sex court ruling
Though steeped in ordinariness, Shalu and Mehak have put up an extraordinary fight for the relationship they want to be legitimised.
‘Urban’ LGBTQIA+ versus queerness in rural India
Legalising homosexuality has had little impact on the deeply entrenched queerphobia in rural India, where there is a lack of awareness and discussion on LGBTQIA+ rights.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.