BehanBox

Our senior correspondent Priyanka Tupe is in Bangalore at this event speaking about reporting on Gender Based Violence and what just and sensitive reporting must look like.

Soniya Gaikwad, 25, a popular dancer from Kolhapur and her peers have been accused of "obscene gestures" and FIRs slapped against them during a performance on September 13. Following this, they have lost their future performance contracts and all means of livelihood, especially during the ongoing festive season.  These charges against women dancers in Kolhapur are not merely legal issues but a reflection of ongoing societal struggles over body autonomy and artistic expression. Despite a Bombay High Court ruling in October 2023 clarifying that provocative dance is not legally obscene, Soniya has been named the primary accused in an FIR filed under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, citing wrongful restraint and obscene acts in public. The legal definition of ‘obscenity’ remains vague, rooted in colonial-era laws, and disproportionately affects performers from marginalized communities, particularly Dalits. The term "ashlil" has been weaponized against artists, impeding their economic and cultural success. Historian Shailaja Paik, in her book The Vulgarity of Caste, explores how this term stifles the ability of Tamasha performers to gain respectability, illustrating the intersection of caste, gender, and artistic expression. With the recent ban on 21 dancers from performing, these issues have become even more pressing. Many, like Divya, report significant financial losses and reputational damage, highlighting the systemic inequalities in the industry. The crackdown on dancers is not a new phenomenon. Last year, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra criticized "vulgar" performances, perpetuating the stigma surrounding traditional dances like Lavani. Lavani, an integral part of Maharashtra’s cultural heritage, has evolved to include influences from Bollywood, yet remains heavily policed when performed by women from lower-income communities. Writer Bhushan Korgaonkar points out the hypocrisy in this policing, noting that dance moves acceptable in films become targets of scrutiny in community settings. This dynamic highlights a broader societal issue—while women's performances are celebrated in elite spaces, they face censure when expressed by marginalized groups. As highlighted by Nitya Vasudevan in her analysis of public women and their bodies, this case exemplifies a broader struggle over mobility, economic independence, and agency for women in public life. It challenges us to reconsider how we define obscenity and who gets to perform in public spaces. For an in-depth look at the challenges faced by Kolhapur's dancers amid these legal threats, read the full report by Shreya Raman. https://lnkd.in/eZTHpHQK

⭕ New Series Alert: Safe Workplaces In a new series titled ‘Safe Workplaces’, Behanbox explores the imaginations of what safe workplaces are from a gendered lens. Why Armed Forces Struggle to Provide Safe Workspaces For Women The recent sexual assault allegations within the Indian Air Force shed light on the pervasive challenges women face in military workplaces. A woman officer’s complaint of harassment and rape by a superior reveals systemic issues of misogyny and ineffective justice mechanisms that protect offenders and silence victims. Despite existing legal frameworks like the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, enforcement remains weak, with Internal Committees often lacking transparency and proper training. Experts emphasize that the military's unique culture–which prizes traditional masculinity, violence, and aggression–complicates efforts to achieve meaningful gender parity. While recent reforms aim to enhance women's roles in the armed forces, cultural biases continue to marginalize them. To create a safer and more inclusive environment, comprehensive reforms and cultural shifts are needed, including independent oversight of harassment cases and a commitment to fostering a culture that prioritizes the dignity and rights of all personnel. Addressing these systemic issues is not just about compliance but about fundamentally rethinking workplace culture within the armed forces to empower women and ensure their voices are heard. In the first story, Saumya Kalia analyses the armed forces and its  struggle to create safe workspaces for women. https://lnkd.in/e3DX-DTP

India’s latest Periodic Labour Force Survey (2023-24) reveals a rise in women’s participation in the workforce—up from 37% to 41.7% over the past year. While this increase appears encouraging, a closer look at the data raises important questions about the quality of employment available to women. 73.5% of rural women are now self-employed, 43.2% as unpaid helpers in family enterprises, earning significantly less than salaried workers. Women in self-employment in rural areas on average earned around ₹5,000/month, less than half of  ₹11-12,000 earned by women in salaried jobs. The unemployment rate for educated rural women increased from 8.3% to 9%, a possible indication of rising aspirations for non-agricultural job opportunities. Casual labour has also seen a significant decline in rural and urban India. Decreasing casual labour combined with increasing unpaid work indicates a larger economic crisis, say experts. While more women are joining the workforce, the increase in low-paying or unpaid jobs highlights broader challenges in achieving economic equity. The gap between aspiration and opportunity continues to grow, particularly for educated women in rural areas. Read the full analysis by Shreya Raman here https://lnkd.in/ercVSX2E #WomenInWork #EconomicTrends #LabourForce #GenderEquity #IndiaEconomy #Unemployment #WorkforceTrends #data #PLFS

Why Quick Fixes Like Hasty Trials and the Death Penalty Won't Deliver Justice for Rape Survivors In the aftermath of brutal crimes like the RG Kar Medical College case, new laws such as West Bengal’s Aparajita Bill propose fast-track investigations and the death penalty for perpetrators of rape. While these laws may seem like immediate solutions, legal experts and gender activists argue that they do more harm than good. Rushed investigations often lead to flawed trials, wrongful convictions, and, ultimately, justice being denied. The push for hasty timelines, such as 21-day investigations, ignores the reality of an under-resourced judicial system already grappling with case backlogs. Moreover, the inclusion of the death penalty could further endanger survivors, as it may incentivize offenders to silence their victims permanently. What’s needed is not quick fixes, but long-term systemic reform. We need to focus on addressing the root causes of sexual violence— from gender-sensitive training for law enforcement to implementing the Justice Verma Committee’s recommendations. Only then can we truly protect and empower survivors. Read the full analysis by Priyanka Tupe to understand why systemic reform is the only path to justice for rape survivors. https://lnkd.in/ec6tPq2t #JusticeForSurvivors #LegalReform #GenderEquality #Kolkata #WestBengal #rape  #EndViolenceAgainstWomen #HumanRights #RGKar

We are thrilled to share that Behanbox reporters and contributors have won 4 Laadli awards for gender sensitivity this year. These awards are incredibly special because they recognise gender journalism as a specific discipline that needs extensive coverage. The stories that won awards are: 1. Purdah Bagh, a women only park in Delhi with a long medieval history and as well as an organising space during the anti-colonial resistance, offers a space for women for leisure. This opens up a debate about gender segregated spaces and its implications. Ankita Dhar Karmakar had reported this story with a lot of care and sensitivity https://lnkd.in/e4NNQbMg 2. Beauty parlours in rural Jharkhand are a sanctuary for women from rural working class who find hope, camaraderie, space for leisure and community while also reproducing the same caste norms. This is a fascinating story by Ankita Apurva, one of our most read and loved stories https://lnkd.in/eMYRB99j 3. Gig work has opened up a lot of prospects for women working especially in the beauty industry offering them avenues of work, better pay and more freedom. But the structure and nature of gig work are inherently exploitative and will continue to be so in the absence of labour laws regulating them. Saumya Kalia explored these contradictions in her story which offered a unique perspective to Urban Company gig workers. https://lnkd.in/es4KStga 4. Trans persons are people with rights enshrined per the NALSA judgement. Yet, they are excluded from land and property rights across India. Aishwarya Mohanty looked at trans persons in Odisha and the many ways in which this exclusion works. https://lnkd.in/e4Ba-PDz The photo is from the ceremony yesterday in Mumbai. From left to right: Ankita Dhar, Saumya Kalia and Ankita Apurva. Aishwarya was missed.

As Maharashtra goes to polls later this year, the  government announced its flagship Ladki Bahin Scheme to give succour to women from low income households. On Raksha Bandhan, the chief minister Eknath Shinde was seen promoting the scheme as his gift to the ‘sisters’ in his state. In the budget session, the finance minister Ajit Pawar allocated an outlay of Rs 46,000 crores. But there is a crucial miss. The scheme, in its design, excludes trans women in many ways. The plethora of documents that the scheme demands for enrollment is a crucial barrier. As Behanbox has often reported, obtaining government documents is not an easy task with everyone from the families to the state causing multiple hurdles. Trans women we spoke to across Maharashtra told us that they have reached a dead end in accessing the scheme and have given up. ‘Are we not women and not equal?’, they ask. This is not the first time that the state has excluded trans women from its women centric schemes. We had earlier reported how the state’s 2023 Mahila Sanman Scheme which provides discounted bus fares to women in Maharashtra excluded trans women. The last date for the enrollment for women is August 31. Will the state government rectify this exclusion? Read the full report by Priyanka Tupe https://lnkd.in/esFJFhR3 If you are concerned about this exclusion, you could write to the chief minister of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde on his official email address. Cm_@maharashtra.gov.in

TRIGGER WARNING: Mentions of Rape and violence India celebrates 78 years of Independence from colonial rule. And this begs the questions, are women in India really free? The gruesome sexual assault and murder of a woman postgraduate student at the RG Kar Medical College Hospital in Kolkata once again brings to sharp focus the issue of women’s safety and safe workplaces in India and ever looming spectre of rape culture in India. It is the story of countless women, especially from marginalised communities like Dalits and Adivasis, who routinely face violence from upper and dominant castes as a means of control. This issue also brings to sharp focus the unique challenges faced by women healthcare workers that often go unnoticed. From inadequate infrastructure to insufficient security, many women healthcare professionals work long hours in environments that are far from safe. Hospitals, especially public ones, frequently lack secure rest areas, forcing women to find shelter in seminar rooms or empty corridors during grueling shifts. "It could have been any of us" that is what most women doctors or indeed any female  healthcare worker would say of this tragedy. Christianez Ratna Kiruba, a doctor herself writes about why we need to view this in the backdrop of crumbling health infrastructure, larger inequities that make the people operating within the system vulnerable. https://lnkd.in/eRYdqVfp #GBV #healthcare #womenempowerment #healthpolicy #Genderequality

As the monsoon sweeps through Mumbai, many of us enjoy the romantic notion of chai and pakoda by the window, watching the rain fall. But for working-class women, this season brings a completely different reality—one of hardship, indignity, and survival. Take Maheshwari, a 21-year-old domestic worker, for instance. Despite being six months pregnant, she works tirelessly in two households. Yet, she can't afford a basic umbrella or rainproof footwear. For her, spending Rs 300 on an umbrella is a luxury she simply can't justify. Then there's Suman Singh, who worries more about slipping in her old sandals than the joy of a rainy day. Her limited earnings are stretched thin between her son's school expenses and the need for basic rain gear. For Suman and many others, the monsoon is not about enjoying the rain but about navigating flooded slums, battling leaky roofs, and trying to stay dry in a city that offers little protection. These stories highlight the stark inequalities that persist in our society. While some enjoy the rains, others struggle to make it through each day without falling sick or losing a day's pay due to inadequate protection from the elements. The idea of providing a "monsoon allowance" to help working-class women afford essential rain gear is not just a compassionate thought—it’s a necessity. In some parts of the world, allowances are provided to students for winter clothing. Why not extend such support here, where it could make a significant impact? As we move through this monsoon season, let’s take a moment to recognize the unseen challenges faced by those less fortunate. Their struggles are a reminder of the deep-seated inequalities that still need our attention. Read the full story to learn more about the daily battles these women face during the monsoon in this reportage plus personal essay by Priyanka Tupe https://lnkd.in/eCzbczrP

As a woman working in cancer care, I have witnessed how Indian women diagnosed with cancer struggle - not only with the disease but also with loss of their identities. Subjugation of women is considered 'normal' in a society where patriarchy rules the roost and women have low status and very few rights. - I have to cook before I go for my chemotherapy session because my husband will not eat rotis made by my daughter in law - Can I sleep with my husband while under treatment? It's very important I can give him 'sex' or he will go to another woman - She is just a housewife. She is not capable of taking any decisions so please ask me not her. - don't tell her she is dying. She can't handle it. -She is too sensitive. Can't even stand a little pain. - Why are you crying? It's only an Injection. - why spend so much on her treatment, I can get a new wife? These are only a few examples of what women diagnosed with cancer are subjected to. When Swagata reached out to me , I was happy to contribute towards raising awareness about the gender disparity in cancer care which needs more attention and better advocacy ! Brilliant work Swagata! Many congratulations!! This story is part of the series “Gender and Cancer” where the journalist explores the different ways in which cancer treatment, access and care are gendered. This series is supported by the @pulitzercenter . BehanBox Swagata Yadavar https://lnkd.in/gvMu-mY9