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.
Women’s empowerment is no longer a term confined to classrooms or elite urban settings. From education and sports to leadership and community empowerment, women in Indian villages are making a mark in various fields too. On March 8, as the world celebrates the achievements and contributions of women across the globe in the form of International Women’s Day, we bring to you a compilation of inspiring stories of rural women featured on Village Square who are breaking barriers to secure a better life for themselves and their communities.
Kozhikode’s Meenakshi Amma is an octogenarian adept in kalarippayattu, the traditional martial art of Kerala. Clad in a six-yard saree, she skillfully performs this art whose origins can be traced back to the 13th century. Her pursuit of kalarippayattu began at the tender age of five, after which she never looked back. Today she runs a school where over 200 young students enroll each year to learn kalarippayattu. Having received the Padma Shri Award in 2017, Meenakshi Amma is truly an icon of dedication and commitment to preserving one’s cultural heritage.
Read more about Meenakshi Amma:
She wields a kalarippayattu sword, clad in a six-yard saree
Aizwal’s Vanlalruati Colney is a beacon of hope for drug addicts and HIV-infected persons in Mizoram. Having suffered a difficult childhood, Colney got caught in the labyrinth of drug addiction in her teenage years. Things got worse for her when she contracted HIV and later the herpes zoster viral infection. After spending several dreary months in the hospital and at a drug addiction centre, Colney recovered and decided to start her life all over again. She began working for those who suffer from HIV, and launched the Positive Women Network of Mizoram. Having counselled over 8,000 people so far, including sex workers, drug addicts and HIV-infected persons, Colney’s story is an inspiration for many.
Read more about Vanlalruati Colney:
She braves HIV stigma to help others win battles
She is a brave acid attack survivor and Uttarakhand’s state brand ambassador for women’s empowerment. Karnal’s Kavita Bisht is an inspirational figure who refused to be crushed by adversities in life. After facing a devastating acid attack at the age of 20, Bisht lost her eyesight and found herself struggling with mental and physical trauma. After years of dealing with depression, she joined the National Institute of Visually Handicapped in Dehradun in 2011 where she learned several skills, including computer operation and stitching. A turning point in her life came when she started working as a teacher at USR Indu Samiti School in Ramnagar, coaching children with disabilities. She has so far helped over 30 children and trained many women in skills that help them earn a livelihood. In 2015, the Uttarakhand government made her the state’s brand ambassador for women’s empowerment.
Read more about Kavita Bisht:
Acid attack survivor: I don’t want to hide my face
Ajam Emba, a restaurant that exclusively serves tribal dishes, is an initiative by Jharkhand’s Aruna Tirkey to revive indigenous foods. She quit a high-profile job when she felt the need to bring to the fore India’s tribal delicacies. Made from locally sourced ingredients, the cuisine served at this restaurant is a testament to the delightful flavours of indigenous foods which may soon be on the brink of extinction if not preserved and promoted. Despite personal hardships, Tirkey’s mission remains on course as she aims to achieve better marketing for the eatery.
Learn more about Aruna Tirkey:
She quit a cushy job to revive tribal foods
With a firm belief in women’s contribution to nation-building, Fatima Begum is an octogenarian in Baramulla pursuing her passion for politics. Defying traditional gender roles which largely limit women’s participation in leadership roles, Fatima Begum became the sarpanch of Amargarh at the age of 80. She has worked extensively for the overall development of her community, be it for health, education or infrastructure. From working as a farm labourer in her youth to becoming a respected leader in her village, Fatima Begum has come a long way.
Read more about Kavita Bisht:
A widow becomes sarpanch at 80, busting ageism myths
Angisingi in Nayagarh district of Odisha is witnessing a shift from the use of chemical fertilisers to organic farming. This change has occurred due to the persistent efforts of Geeta Rani Satpathy, a krishi mitra (agri-friend). Having noticed the harmful effects that chemical fertilisers and pesticides have on farm produce, Satpathy embarked on a mission to raise awareness about organic farming. She became a part of the Odisha Livelihood Mission, working to promote environment-friendly agricultural practices at subsidised costs. Her advice was initially met with hostility and indifference, but today over 250 families practise organic farming methods in Angisingi. Whether it is managing household responsibilities alongside pursuing her higher education from an open college or working as an agri-friend, Satpathy gives her best to it all.
Learn more about Geeta Rani Satpathy’s journey:
Farmers turn to organic farming thanks to this ‘agri-friend’
Undaunted by hushed criticism and open jibes, 22-year-old Kalpana Verma has been holding conversations around the rather taboo topic of menstruation and menstrual hygiene in her village of Mirtala in Uttar Pradesh. In a community where even elderly women hesitate to discuss periods openly, Verma has taken the initiative to remove the stigma around the topic. In a bid to encourage the use of safe menstrual products, she has set up a “pad depot” at her house where women of the village come to purchase sanitary pads. Growing up with no knowledge of menstruation, Verma had a difficult experience upon getting her first period. Today, she is working to ensure that no young girl has to go through the same.
Read more about Kalpana Verma’s journey:
Sanitary pad depot evokes pride in UP village
