Gender

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From acid attacks to STEM, these NGOs are working on issues concerning women and girls across India

Health, education, livelihood, gender crime…. When it comes to the issues faced by women and girls, the list can be long. Here are some development organisations working towards making the country a better place for them.

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How these rural women shatter stereotypes

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.

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The need for digital empowerment of rural women

India's digital landscape is booming, especially in rural areas, with significant growth in internet usage and digital payments. However, a gender-based digital divide persists, hindering women's empowerment.

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4 Badass rural women who made history

From changing sexual harrassment laws to growing trees at the age of 112 – these rural women have contributed to significant impact in India.

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Inspiring rural women who defied expectations

They had only a dream to start with. And they have made their mark in various fields with a never-quit spirit. This International Day of Rural Women, we revisit some inspiring stories covered on Village Square.

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‘Queer community needs access to housing, health and jobs’

While homosexuality has been decriminalised in India, the LGBTQIA+ community continues to fight for dignity and access to basic amenities. Changing perceptions takes time, says Rajesh Srinivas of Sangama, an organisation working for the cause.

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Fighting prejudice and promoting queer rights

We went on a quest to assemble a collection of LGBTQ+ tales across India, and found that the road leading to their rights is riddled with prejudices despite their tenacity and the dedication of activists.

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Enthralling queer short stories from rural India

We are thrilled to share the winning entries of our Pride Day storytelling competition. These remarkable tales stole the show with their rich tapestry of narratives that exist within diverse communities in rural India.

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Small-town lesbian couple await same-sex court ruling

Though steeped in ordinariness, Shalu and Mehak have put up an extraordinary fight for the relationship they want to be legitimised.

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‘Urban’ LGBTQIA+ versus queerness in rural India

Legalising homosexuality has had little impact on the deeply entrenched queerphobia in rural India, where there is a lack of awareness and discussion on LGBTQIA+ rights.

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The notice that proves no one takes dowry in this village

Families sign an anti-dowry pact in Babawayil village and rule violations entail social boycott from the masjid and graveyard. There’s been no violation in 40 years.

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Not all rainbows for trans people in Mizoram

Bullying and trolling of the LGBTQ community in Mizoram have led to stalling of a project to build shelter homes for abandoned, homeless trans people.

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Maharashtra villages lead the way in widow reforms

Though home to many reformers, Maharashtra continues to see archaic practices such as customs associated with widowhood. However, villages like Herwad have led the way to ban these traditions and embrace widow reforms.

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Male dancer takes Punjab giddha stage by storm

Noor Zora – born as Zorawar Sigh - is hugely popular despite being a man who dresses up as a female to perform the women-only folk dance

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Rural women farmers plough their way to financial freedom

With a good push from self-help groups and NGOs, women who had never stepped out of their house without a man, are now earning a decent living and a lot of respect from farming.

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Jungle Warriors: Odisha women set up jungle huts to save forests

Women in Nayagarh district’s villages start jungle kutirs that serve as a resource hub where they gather and make plans to protect jungles as also individuals’ forest rights.

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How a tribal women-run magazine changes life for the better

Mahila Navodayam, a Telugu magazine meaning “new dawn”, published for women and by women, brings about social changes and women’s empowerment – despite initial hardships.

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Kudumbashree: A 3-tiered programme tackling Kerala’s gender-based violence

Tackling gender-based violence, Kerala’s Kudumbashree programme works on the three principles of transformation, prevention and support - offering community-based centres and counselling for those in need.

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Nagaland: Young girl breaks the norm, drums her way towards her dreams

A teen teaches herself to play the drums, encourages other girls to hone their innate talents and nurtures future dreams for her village in Nagaland that is shedding patriarchy.

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Weaving a way out of destitution

Weaving indigenous handloom clothes offers destitute women and those who have been trafficked a safe and stable livelihood in the hills of Darjeeling.