Women Archives - Page 2 of 10

Angry Women and Indifferent Men: What India’s #MeToo Moment Says About Us

Men have responded in a variety of ways to a wave of #MeToo allegations over the last few days, from going on the defensive to resorting to mansplaining. Even now, there’s an air of separating ourselves and the culture we are an active part of, from the vile men who actually go out and harass, molest, and rape.

Himanshu Sharma July 8, 2016

Gender

No Baby, No Cry: What it Means to be Childfree by Choice

Society finds it hard to respect a woman’s choice in several matters of sex and marriage, but the decision to not have children is beyond the pale. How can you not be a mother? Isn’t it going against your DNA as a woman and your purpose on this planet?

Alka Shukla July 8, 2016

POV

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

Pop Culture

Farewell Kanchan Chaudhary Bhattacharya, the IPS Officer Who Inspired Udaan… And a Generation of Women

Doordarshan’s Udaan was inspired by Kanchan Chaudhary Bhattacharya, India’s first woman DGP, who passed away earlier this week. The show was a first lesson in feminism for a generation of women. And though many of us fondly remember its protagonist Kalyani Singh, it is Bhattacharya we need to doff our hats to.

Chandrima Pal July 6, 2016

Love and Sex

Why I Choose Not to Get Off On Porn

In a world where female sexuality isn’t supposed to exist, watching porn is still seen as sexual liberation. But an acknowledgement of the same desires are invalidated by the medium’s treatment of women, both on screen and behind-the-scenes. How can we celebrate our sexuality through porn while condoning a sexist, exploitative industry that functions on men’s terms?

Kahini Iyer June 29, 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

Gender

Why Do India’s Successful Women Shy Away from the Feminist Tag?

From Smriti Irani to Kareena Kapoor, there’s no greater irony than successful women in the public eye shying away from the word “feminism” as if it were something toxic. To say you believe in equality but aren’t a feminist is like ordering Jain chicken – it may make sense to you, but it defies logic.

Mudra June 26, 2016

Love and Sex

Do People Really Have As Much Sex As They Claim?

Going by the stories I hear, I'd imagine the world is having more sex than two hamsters with an average life expectancy of seven days. How do they find the time?

Aditya Bhalla June 25, 2016

People

Stepping Into the Shoes of a Sex Worker

I’ve spent many nights looking at the shiny shadows of women trying to make a living in the city’s alleys. They made me curious, but stepping into their shoes turned out to be a whole different story.

Divya Unny 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