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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.