Gender Archives

Harvey Weinstein’s Rant Before His Sentencing Tells You that He is a Man With No Remorse

Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein was sentenced to prison for 23 years for rape and criminal sexual assault. You’d think the barrage of accusations which led to a global #MeToo movement, would push a man to reflect upon his actions. However, his final statement portrays him as a man living in denial.

Arré Bench May 25, 2016

Gender

How the Mumbai Local Liberated Women Like Me

Cities can be unforgiving spaces for young women who want to step out and make a life of their own. Given the circumstances Mumbai’s trains are heaven sent, for women like me.

Jagruti Verma May 24, 2016

Gender

How India is Taking Small Yet Significant Steps to Make Public Transport Safer for Women

Sexual harassment in public transport is a menace that Indian women have to constantly deal with. Now, Central Railways is starting a service called “Smart Sahelee” to monitor such complaints with the help of Railway Protection Force and regular women commuters.

Arré Bench May 23, 2016

Gender

Ladies Never Get the Leg Piece

As a child, what I hated most about hosting, was having to wait until I got to eat. At first, I thought we let the men eat first because they’re older than us. I realised the practice had everything to do with my gender when I had to serve delicious saalan to my much younger male cousin.

Karima Khan May 23, 2016

Gender

Why Women Like Tavleen Singh Choose Not to be a Part of #MeToo

Journalist Tavleen Singh has reduced #MeToo to a bunch of well-heeled urban women complaining over a bit of workplace harassment. But it is actually Singh and her ilk’s privilege that has helped them rise above the rampant sexism, which held back so many of their peers. That continues to be an obstacle for younger women.

Kahini Iyer May 23, 2016

Gender

Kerala HC’s Ruling Against Sexist Hostel Rules Has Shown the Way. Time for All Our Universities to Follow

The Kerala High Court recently upheld that women students have the same freedoms as men. The implications of these college rules go far beyond the campus. It goes against the understanding that the potential of young women is up for sacrifice without a second thought, as long as we can keep them in line.

Kahini Iyer May 23, 2016

Gender

If US Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris’ Pic is “Whitewashed”, What Hope There is for Women of Colour?

Kamala Harris’ identity as the daughter of an Indian immigrant mother and an African-American father who broke into the traditionally white, male field of US politics is what makes her a trailblazer. Why Vogue chose to “whitewash” her cover photo is mystifying.

Arré Bench May 23, 2016

Gender

Strictly for Women: What It Takes for Wives & Mothers to Just Have Some Fun On Their Own

I have been on enough all-girls vacation trips to know that planning is a science, negotiation is a skill, and a sacrificial bargain is a must. Not causing minor inconvenience to the people at home (and at work) is a priority. And everyone seems to be in on this game of reminding women of the price of our freedom and fun.

Runjhun Noopur May 23, 2016

Gender

Despite 377 Verdict, It’s Not All Rainbows for Trans People Yet

It will take more than the historic 377 verdict to eradicate homophobia and transphobia from our workplaces. Just ask Harshini, a trans-person who now holds a corporate job, after years of being turned down by employers who held her identity against her.

Dushyant Shekhawat May 21, 2016

Gender

How the Women’s Wall in Kerala is Taking the Politics of #MeToo Forward

The 620-km Women’s Wall, protesting against the tradition that bans women from entering Sabarimala Temple despite the SC verdict, is a fitting companion piece to the #MeToo wave. Like #MeToo, the Wall is as much an expression of women that cut through barriers, as it is their means to protest inequality.

Poulomi Das May 20, 2016