Gender Archives

Oscars 2019: Will Films Like Period. End of Sentence. Rid Us of Taboos Around Menstruation?

Periods are used as convenient tools to dismiss and overpower women. This experience is so common to patriarchal societies that frankly, I was baffled that a documentary as simplistic as Period. End Of Sentence. was considered insightful enough to earn an Oscar. Perhaps that’s what makes it relevant.

Sonali Kokra May 12, 2016

Gender

The Power of Women’s Anger in the Age of Me Too

Since October 2017, collective female rage has brought down big men – predators with power, men who have been exploiting women for years. Men like Harvey Weinstein and MJ Akbar. But will this persist? Will the world we occupy allow our anger to have power?

Alka Gurha May 12, 2016

Gender

The Cost of Creep-Proofing My Career

As women, we learn to develop a kind of “minority report” attitude to men who enter our stratosphere, judging them for their future predatory potential before we allow ourselves to feel safe in their presence. How many missed opportunities are there to account for?

Samina Motlekar May 12, 2016

Gender

Woman Cop Dismissed for Confronting Senior over Sexist Remarks. Do the Indian Police Have a Gender Inequality Problem?

Even India’s women cops aren't immune to everyday sexism. A woman officer who spoke up against a senior for making offensive remarks about her visit to a gynaecologist has been dismissed from the force.

Rhea Arora May 11, 2016

Gender

Chhattisgarh Women’s Commission Chief Says Women File for Rape after a Break-Up. Why Do Our Female Leaders Belittle Other Women?

Kiranmayee Nayak is the head of a commission dedicated to “empowering” the women of Chhattisgarh and “ending discrimination” against them. If she is unable to practice what she preaches, who is she really helping?

Rhea Arora May 10, 2016

Gender

Lust Stories: Erotic Novels are Where Indian Girls Get the Sex Education Their Parents Are Too Timid to Give

When I was growing up, it was easier and more socially acceptable for men to gain access to erotic media in the form of magazines and videos because their introduction to adulthood was celebrated. However, for women, puberty came with concealment: of sexuality, breasts, and acne. Erotic fiction masquerading as “romance literature” then became the medium of instruction for many women.

Sahej Marwah May 9, 2016

Gender

Asia Argento, Tinder Date Rape, and What Makes a “Good” Sexual Assault Victim

The #MeToo movement has changed our perception of who a sexual abuser can be – but not our view of victims of sexual assault. Who exactly is the “perfect” victim? The Asia Argento case challenges that notion, letting us know that a victim of assault can also be a perpetrator.

Kahini Iyer May 9, 2016

Gender

Why We Need to Stop Judging Women Who Sport the Sindoor

To sindoor or not to sindoor, is just one of the big questions in the lives of married women today. It has been vilified as a sign of patriarchy. We rarely have such intense feelings about toe rings and mangalsutras.

Ashwina Garg May 8, 2016

Gender

Pushpa, I Love Tears: How to Counter Dick Bosses with Some Weeping

There is nothing wrong in using your tears to have your way at work, especially if you encounter male bosses who believe in the power of patriarchy. Your tear glands don’t activate themselves only for emotional release. They could well be dubbed as weapons of psychological warfare.

Alka Shukla May 8, 2016

Gender

The Cutting Edge of Razors

Back in the day, men used clamshells as tweezers to yank out excess hair. Thank god for razors.

Ajay Sharma May 8, 2016