Feminism Archives - Page 2 of 7

Unheeled and High: Why I Ditched Heels and Found Empowerment in Flat Shoes

After a nightmarish high school party, where I hobbled with every step, I abandoned high heels. Grounded in my flats, I have travelled through the ups and downs of life, comfortably and confidently. Some say stilettos are sexy, they add to your stature, but how can you feel glamorous or powerful when you are uncomfortable?

Lata Gwalani July 7, 2016

Gender

My Grandmother Didn’t Lead a “Woke” Life. But She Died a Feminist

My grandmother married at 14 and gave birth to her first son at 20. She didn’t live long enough to acquaint herself with the world of “feminism” but she ensured that she raised her granddaughter as a feminist.

Tamira Obrahm July 6, 2016

Pop Culture

Karan Johar and the Fight Against Femininity

Happy birthday, Karan Johar, the man who was advised to tone down his “female” mannerisms and the man who finally grew up with Ae Dil Hai Mushkil.

Tanvi Dhulia July 6, 2016

Modern Family

My Father, the First Feminist in My Life

Even before I became a 23-year-old self-identifying feminist, my dad had already defined masculinity for me in ways that the world needed to realise and understand, through actions like helping my mother with housework, and expressions of emotion, including tears.

Tarana Emmanuel July 4, 2016

Gender

The Fault in Our Bollywood Bodies

Back in the ’90s, Bollywood actresses had bodies that were whole, full, and jutting out in parts. At that time, we could be them and they could be us. But the perfectly crafted bodies of younger actresses have stripped us of that joy.

Pooja Das June 27, 2016

POV

Is Marriage Where Feminist Dreams Go To Die?

Kareena Kapoor in her progressive Veere Di Wedding avatar is enjoyable if you can forget the fact that a few weeks ago, the actress did a U-turn on her character’s seemingly feminist stance. What happens to feminists after marriage?

Kahini Iyer June 25, 2016

Gender

Finding My Feminism in a Menstrual Cup

I started using the menstrual cup more than 15 years after I got my first period and it was the first time I engaged with my menses. I no longer loathed “that time of the month”. With every cycle I understood my body a little better, embraced it a little more

Oishorjyo June 22, 2016

Gender

Down with Female

Can we please stop using the word “female” as a term of abuse? Stop letting sexism get in the way of our swearing, especially when we already have such a colourful arsenal.

Lavanya Narayan June 21, 2016

Gender

If You’re Friends With a Sexual Harasser, You’re Part of the Problem Too

The toxic reaction to Tanushree Dutta’s attempt to share her story of harassment by Nana Patekar underlines how it isn’t just a victim’s responsibility to speak up. It took my friend being publicly accused of harassment for me to see I’d played my part in the crime by not confronting him when I should have.

Sreemoyee Mukherjee June 19, 2016

Pop Culture

Why Labanya from “Shesher Kobita” is the Most Empowering Rabindranath Tagore Heroine

Few characters have the kind of sway over Rabindranath Tagore’s followers as Labanya – arguably, his most complex and nuanced character – from Shesher Kobita (Last Poem). More than nine decades later, Labanya remains as relevant as she was when she first stormed into popular consciousness.

Chandrima Pal June 18, 2016