Her Life is a showcase of India’s unsung heroes, women navigating their way through a changing world. Using audio, video, photos and text, women share their successes and hopes on Her Life, but also their failures and fears. It’s her life – in her own words.
Forehead tattoos - steeped in symbolism - used to distinguish Baiga tribal girls from the other tribes, but today few want them. Which is why Baiga tattoo artist Mangala Bai Marawi wants to preserve the tradition.
Seeing the drudgery women go through, a young Kashmiri woman decided to start a nursery business in her backyard to become financially independent. Polytechnic student Saika Nisar’s success is now inspiring other women.
Ashfa, a transwoman living in Varanasi, lives life to the fullest with her friends, despite the lack of employment opportunities for transgenders, mostly limited to commercial sex work which leads to humiliation and exploitation.
Ria Patil Chandray, an engineer, once nominated as an ambassador to dispel myths on menstruation, became so passionate that she now manufactures biodegradable sanitary pads that ensure better health and hygiene.
India’s first woman rafter and water-rescuer has saved hundreds of people from the raging waters of the River Teesta. Despite the risks and a lack of sophisticated safety equipment, Shanti Rai works with dedication, inspiring young girls to follow in her footsteps.
Twice a child bride, Sushila Nath – a single mother of three now – makes a living rearing cattle and working as a farm labourer. But her passion is preserving her tribe’s Kalbeliya jewellery and dance and making it commercially sustainable.
When PG Deepamol’s husband became unwell, she had to drive cabs and lorries to support her family. Now she is Kerala’s first woman ambulance pilot and finds helping patients the most rewarding of all driving jobs. Read her story in her own words.
Socially conscious Charubala, aka Deepa Barik, tweets about people’s problems, bringing them to the Odisha government’s attention. Inspired after seeing the destitution of a couple devastated by the 2019 cyclone, her tweets have helped more than 3,000 people get problems resolved. Read about her work in her own words.
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.
