Dear Women’s Web Community Member,

You may have wondered at our being on the quieter side during the last couple of months. Thank you for your patience, and we wanted to come back to you with a detailed note on what’s been happening at our end of things.

When we first began Women’s Web, as a blog from one woman’s desk along with a few like-minded souls, little could we have imagined the heights that it would soar to. Over the years, Women’s Web has published over 20000 stories (almost all by women), empowered countless women with the ideas, community and resources to chase their dreams, employed hundreds of women in core and project-based roles, and in the process, emerged as the OG women’s community in India. It has also inspired many others to build communities of a similar nature, all enabling women (and other-underrepresented groups) in their own ways. 

Thank you for being with us on this beautiful and empowering journey that was Women’s Web. We could not have done it without you. 

After 14 years of being a community-led platform, we have come to a junction where we needed to pause and take stock of where we are and where each of us would like to go. While we count our successes and blessings, we as a team have decided that it is time for us to explore new avenues and challenges; we are therefore halting operations for Women’s Web and will no longer be publishing new content. 

As for the existing material on Women’s Web, it has been built through the power of this wonderful community, and we would like for each community member to be able to take their own writing and use it elsewhere, should they like to. Hence, the Women’s Web platform will be available until Aug 30 – please use these two months to take copies of any of your own content (whether published, or submitted and not yet published). Subsequently, this archive may no longer be available. 

The path of entrepreneurship is often unpredictable, and while we’ve had many wins, we’ve also faced tough challenges that have led us to where we are now – it has not been an easy decision by any means but we know that many of you will be cheering for us no matter what we do next, and we hope to stay connected.

We want to take this opportunity to thank every team member, writer, community member, partner, and customer who has been a part of our story. Your support and engagement have meant the world to us.

Saying goodbye is tough but we hope that the connections the community made with each other and us lives on and inspires the next generation of women like it has done the last 14 years.

Regards

Aparna Vedapuri Singh and Anju Jayaram

Founding Team, Women’s Web

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez via Unsplash

The post Women’s Web Is Saying Goodbye! appeared first on Women's Web.

Over the years, the Indian government has taken significant steps to empower women. One of these steps has been to provide them with monetary perks and concessions. Stamp duty exemptions, property tax exemptions, home credit subsidies, and lower interest rates on home loans are just a few examples. In this article information on Income TaxSlab for Woman, Income Tax Benefits for Women and Income Tax Exemption for Women.

However, beginning in the FY (Financial Year) 2012-13, the government has abandoned this approach and replaced it with a single income tax slab for both men and women. There is no longer a separate income tax bracket for women, and there are no particular income tax exemptions for women.

Information on income tax slab for women

The applicable tax rates based on one’s income and age are referred to as Income Tax Slabs. While the technique of categorizing remains the same, the slabs are subject to change during each Union Budget. The tax rates stay the same as the previous financial year in a budget where no adjustments are officially announced.

Income tax slab rates for women under the age of 60 years

Income tax slab rates for women above 60 years but below 80 years

Income tax slab rates for women above the age of 80 years

What are the income tax benefits for women?

At the time of repaying a house loan

The Income Tax Act allows you to claim tax benefits on home loan interest payments. If the taxpayer lives in the house, deductions of up to INR 200,000 are permitted under certain circumstances. Under some circumstances, a deduction of INR 50,000 maybe available to first-time buyers.

Although women’s income in India is taxed at the same rate as men’s, knowing how to save money on taxes is crucial. When a woman understands how and where to save money on taxes, her purchasing power increases, allowing her to become more self-sufficient.

Deduction under Section 80C of Income Tax Act

You can get a tax break of up to 1.5 lakh on your profits, if you have earn profit from the following:

• • NSC (National Saving Certificate)
  • Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana
  • National Pension Scheme
  • EPF (Employee Provident Fund)
  • Senior Citizen Saving Scheme
  • ELS (Equity Linked Saving Scheme)

Benefits in education loan

Tax benefits can be claimed on interest paid on a loan used to complete senior secondary education. The loan can be for the borrower, their spouse, or their children. Exemption claims can be made for up to eight years or until interest is paid. Fortunately, there is no cap on how much you can claim.

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana

For a girl kid under the age of ten, a woman can open an SSY account. As a parent or legal guardian, you can deposit up to INR 150,000 and get a guaranteed 8.5 percent return until your child turns 21. The interest as well as the maturity amount are tax-free.

Income Tax Exemption for Women

Section 80GG of Income Tax Act

If you do not get House Rent Allowance, this exemption applies to your rent payment. The amount of this exemption is limited to the lesser of the following:

• • Ten percent of your overall income is spent on rent.
  • A quarter of your overall income
  • INR 5,000

Section 80D under Income Tax Act

Exemption from paying health insurance premiums for oneself, one’s spouse, dependent children, parents, and so on. The following is the exemption’s upper limit:

• • 25,000 for self, spouse, and children under the age of 18
  • Up to 50,000 (self, spouse, and dependent children under the age of 60) + up to 50,000 (self, spouse, and dependent children under the age of 60) (for parents above 60 years of age)
  • 25,000 (for self, spouse, and children under the age of 18) + 25,000 (for parents)
  • 25,000 (for self, spouse, and children under the age of 18) Plus up to 50,000 (for parents above 60 years of age)

Section 80DD of the Income Tax Act

This clause allows for medical treatment exemptions for disabled or dependent family members. The exemption limitations under this provision are as follows:

• • If the disabled person has a 40-80% physical or mental disability, you may be eligible for a INR 75,000 tax break.
  • The tax exemption ceiling is established at INR 125,000 if the bodily or mental handicap is greater than 80%.

Section 80G under Income Tax

Contributions to charitable organizations and a few relief funds are eligible for tax exemptions. In some situations, you maybe eligible for a tax deduction of up to 50% of your donation, while contributions to other programmes are tax-free 100 percent of the time.

As a result of these exemptions and income tax benefits, women can significantly lower their tax liability by making appropriate investments and expenditures. Despite the fact that these investments are often long-term, they can be quite useful when it comes to tax savings.

Image source: kzenon Free for Canva Pro

The post Income Tax Slab And Income Tax Benefits For Women appeared first on Women's Web.

This is a true story. The name of the woman has been changed to protect privacy.

Shruti’s life was a living hell. Physical and emotional abuse meted out by her husband and his family were not only affecting her but her two young children as well.

One day the toxic home atmosphere forced her to take a drastic decision. She got into a train with her children and fled to another city. She knew nobody in that city. She had very little money with her. After struggling for many years, she made a new life for herself and her children. Today, she is working and supporting her children. She is divorced, and though she did not get adequate monetary compensation to raise her children, she says it doesn’t matter. She is free!

Alarming statistics

Not many women who suffer domestic violence are able to break free. Shockingly, in India, research indicates that 87% of women who suffer domestic violence do not report it!

According to a 2023 study published in PLoS One, it is estimated that in India, 32% of women who have been married have reported experiencing physical, sexual, or emotional violence from their husbands. The most common type of domestic violence is physical (28%), followed by emotional (14%), and sexual (6%). Considering that so many cases go unreported, this is the proverbial tip of the iceberg.

In India, domestic violence against women includes physical, sexual, verbal, and emotional abuse, as well as economic exploitation. The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, defines domestic violence as any act that causes bodily pain or endangers the victim’s life, limb, health, or development. A debatable point is that marital rape is illegal only if the victim is under 15 years.

Inherent cause

The inherent cause of domestic violence is patriarchy. But trigger issues can be many, including alcoholism or drug abuse, mental instability of the perpetrator, the abusive partner having an affair, desire for a male child, dowry harassment, anger issues, and poverty leading to frustration and violence.

The more comprehensive term used these days is Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). The PLoS One study says IPV leads to poor health, injuries, malnutrition, pregnancy complications (3.1% of pregnant women reportedly go through domestic violence), and risks of sexually transmitted infections. On the mental health front, it causes emotional stress, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and sleep disorders.

Why the silence?

Why do women who are subjected to IPV stay silent? Why don’t they leave toxic relationships? Dr Urmi Nanda Biswas, social psychologist and academician who has a special interest in gender studies, explains the major reasons for the silence. “Dependence proneness is one factor. The more dependent a woman, the more likely she is to tolerate violence from her abusive partner. Another reason why married women put up with domestic violence is the lack of support from families and the community if they try to break up their marriage and seek divorce,” says Dr Urmi.

The third reason is related to sexism, which can be benevolent or hostile. In the case of ‘benevolent’ sexism, women are made out to be paragons of tolerance and resilience. So, women who keep quiet in the face of violence are glorified. This is probably more common in rural areas among less educated women, she says.

‘Hostile’ sexism

“When it comes to educated working professionals, they are victims of ‘hostile’ sexism. If something goes wrong in the marriage of a successful woman, it is the woman who is blamed.  She is castigated for being ambitious and career minded and as a result ill-equipped to manage her marriage and home,” explains Dr Urmi.

So, it’s a loss-loss situation for women. Either they are expected to tolerate violence with stoicism for the sake of their children or families, or they are shamed into silence by being made to feel like failures, she says.

A fourth factor which is prevalent in dating violence cases is relationship addiction among youngsters. Dating violence has three components – psychological abuse (swearing, jealousy), physical abuse (slapping, pushing) and sexual abuse (unwanted touching or kissing).

“Women would rather stay in an abusive relationship than be without a partner. That’s because if they don’t have a boyfriend they face low self-esteem issues. Many girls go into deep depression after a break-up,” says Dr Urmi.

The fear factor

Prita Jha is the director of the Peace and Equality Cell (PEC) in Ahmedabad, which works on issues of gender-based violence. “There are many layers to the complex issue of why women do not leave abusive relationships. Fear is major factor. Women who are about to leave an abusive relationship are in the greatest danger of violence and even death, she says. True. Around 38-50% of all homicides of women are committed by their partners during acts of violence.

Financial dependence on the partner is a significant practical factor, especially if there are children to be raised, says Prita. Social stigma attached to divorce is a second deterrent. Thirdly, changing the status quo and building a new life is not easy for all women, she adds.

Approaching the police and taking legal recourse is easier these days. In fact, you don’t have to go to a police station, you can file a case in a civil court under the Domestic Violence Act, 2005, she explains. It is not very expensive though it may time to get justice. “I have not seen women stay in long-term relationships where they face violence because they are intimidated by legal processes,” she says.

Image source: YouTube/ a still from Darlings

The post Why Domestic Violence Is Such A Well-Kept Secret  appeared first on Women's Web.

Women know exactly how vulnerable we are in public, but whenever we speak about it men seem to believe that the solution is to learn the art of self defence. “Teach your daughter karate so she can defend herself when she is sexually harassed”, they say, quite forgetting that that even being among the best wrestlers in the world didn’t save Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat from being sexually abused, or that a number of police officers trained in the use of firearms were among the victims of HD Prajwal Revanna.

While the only long term strategy to reducing sexual harassment is a combination of behaviour change communication directed at men and speedy legal action being taken against the perpetrators, we know that calling out (or distracting) the perpetrator will almost certainly diffuse the immediate act of sexual harassment.

A dipstick survey had interesting results

It was to get a dipstick of how men behave when they witness an act of sexual harassment that I create a poll on X (formerly Twitter):

“Question for men:
When you see a man sexually harassing a woman what do you do- (a) Call him out immediately, (b) Look away- not my problem, and (c) Join him in harassing her”

Since a few women said that a better indicator would be to ask women how men behave when they see a woman being sexually harassed, I created a companion poll:

“Question for women:
When a woman (/you) is being sexually abused, how have you seen men react- (a) ignore/ look away, (b)Call it out/ distract, and (c) join in the harassment”

Seeing the way the results of the first poll were going, I deliberately used the word “sexually abused” in the second poll to drive the urgency (and therefore the probability that men would act more proactively). I also introduced “distract”, because someone had rightly pointed out that creating a diversion might be more effective in diffusing the sexual harassment than outright calling it out.

After removing the people who didn’t participate in the poll, but wanted to see the results, there were 235 men and 152 women who responded to the surveys.

The 235 male respondents, when asked what they would do when they witnessed sexual harassment said they would:
Call out immediately: 89% (209 respondents)
Look away/ not my problem: 10% (23 respondents)
Join in the harassing: 1% (3 respondents)

It was interesting to see that almost 9 out of 10 men said that they would immediately call out the predator. If the number of men who stand up for women being harassed is that high, why are there so many instances of sexual harassment?

The second poll painted a very different picture. The 152 female respondents, when asked how men behave when they witnessed sexual harassment, aid that men would
Call out/ distract: 31% (47)
Ignore/ look away: 59% (90)
Join in harassing: 9% (15)

According to women, only 3 out of 10 men actively attempt to stop sexual harassment; the rest either ignore or actively encourage the sexual harassment.

There is clearly a perception mismatch

Assuming all the respondents were being totally honest, it is interesting to compare the perceptions of men and women. While 89% men think they take action to actively prevent sexual harassment, only 31% women agree that they do. 59% men believe that men ignore or look away, but only 10% men admit to doing so.

Clearly, there is a perception mismatch, and (assuming the respondents were honest) the only way to explain the disconnect would be through two reasons (or a combination of the three):

First scenario: men don’t understand what constitutes sexual harassment but respond proactively when they witness it. So what women perceive is men looking away, is in fact a case of the man not even being aware of what is going on.

Second scenario: the male respondents picked what they would do if “their women” (mother, sister, wife, daughter, cousin, friend) were being sexually harassed, not what they would do if a random woman was being abused. Women, on the other hand, evaluated the behaviour of men in general, not just men known to them.

Neither of these scenarios is particularly encouraging for women, and both can only be addressed through sustained behaviour change communication directed at men. Men need to be taught to recognise the entire gamut of sexual harassment, and they should be made to realise that all women deserve to live a life free from sexual harassment.

Some of the comments were quite illuminating and need to be addressed

More than one man said that they would not want to get involved because they fear that the perpetrator and victim might then gang up against him. One quoted the example of a time when he found a couple arguing and said that when he intervened after the man slapped the woman, she turned on him and abused him. Clearly these people are talking about specific cases of intimate partner violence, while the question was about sexual harassment in general. To use this to justify not intervening, is to make yourself complicit in the harassment.

Another man pointed out, quite rightly, that confronting the perpetrator might not always be the right strategy, and that unless the woman is in immediate danger of violence, he prefers diffusing the situation by distracting the perpetrator.

One person took exception to the fact that I had clubbed “call out and distract” because (in his words) “if I distract the man, how will the woman know that I helped her”. It is indeed a sad commentary on the male psyche if the only reason why they call out a man who is sexually harassing a woman is to make her feel gratitude towards him as her saviour!

It is not hard to intervene when a woman is being sexually harassed. Often, all that a person has to do is to strike up a conversation with the perpetrator to distract him- by the time he has finished giving directions to the nearest metro station, for instance, the impulse to pass a lewd comment would pass. While using public transport, moving slightly to put yourself between a voyeur and his target is enough to let the person know that their behaviour has been noted and will not be tolerated. Clearly, there is a long way to go before men can become allies of women in combating sexual harassment.

Image source: a still from the film Pink

The post Would You Intervene If You See Another Man Sexually Harassing A Woman? appeared first on Women's Web.

Prachi Nigam’s photo has been doing the rounds on social media for the right reasons. Well, scratch that- I wish the above statement were true. This 15-year-old girl should ideally be revelling in her spectacular achievement of scoring a whopping 98.05% and topping her tenth-grade boards. But oddly enough, along with her marks, it’s something else that garners more attention – her facial hair.

While the trolls are driving themselves giddy by mocking this girl who hasn’t even completed her school yet, the ones who are taking her side are going one step ahead – they are sharing her photoshopped pictures, sans the facial hair, looking nothing less than a celebrity with captions saying – “Prachi Nigam, ten years later”.

Doctors have already diagnosed her with PCOD in their comments, based on photographic evidence. While we have names for people shamed for their weight – body shaming, for their skin colour- racism, for their age- age shaming, for being a female- sexism, this category of shaming where one faces criticism for their appearance has no name. With that, it also has zero shame attached to it.

How does this impact young minds?

Young minds are fragile, and when they are at the receiving end of scathing comments for no fault of theirs or because they don’t fall within the criteria laid out by society, it can create an everlasting impact. As a growing teenager, puberty brought along with it abundant facial hair and hair sprouting from other parts of my body.

Until tenth grade, I could never get my eyebrows threaded or upper lip hair waxed. I still have my farewell photos, with me donning a big smile and a bright pink saree with the beginnings of a light moustache. Aah, those carefree days when I had not yet realized that I wasn’t attractive enough to grab the attention of the opposite sex and when I could let a guffaw or snort escape from my lips without worrying about the world judging me.

But I was also a part of the generation that grew up seeing The Princess Diaries and Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin. When even Anne Hathway and Mona Singh had to rely on epic makeovers to appeal to society and the male gaze. It’s funny how each time when the fuzzy eyebrows become arched curves, the ugly braces come off, the horn-rimmed glasses disappear, and the wild curls are tamed into submission – they always elicit collective sighs and murmurs saying, “Aah, now that’s the ideal beauty”. Not that it matters that the person looks like a dismal shadow of their former self, shedding their uniqueness along the way and joining the bandwagon of look-alikes.

I too, hopped onto the bandwagon before I left school. The pressure of being a hairy girl amidst a sea of waxed and tweezed girls got to me as well. For a long time, my appearance was rather important to me and visits to a salon were an integral part of my routine. But then, bam came the pandemic! For nearly 18 months, salon services were out of reach for the common woman. I let my eyebrows grow wild then and the hair everywhere else because those who were going to judge were locked away in their own houses. But that period also empowered me in some way.

I felt comfortable with my body hair for the first time, and it didn’t seem as unsightly to me as it did when I was in my 20s. While I have an epilator that I occasionally use to groom myself, my hair removal activities no longer align with my proclivities to appease the outer world. They happen when I want to look hairless for myself.

Now, when someone’s gaze lingers on my face longer than necessary, I know it’s mostly not to appreciate my beauty. Chances are that they have spotted that extra hair on my chin or upper lip, and the beauty of all this is that I am perfectly fine with it.

I hope Prachi, too, can come out of this crazy whirlpool of viciousness unscathed. I hope she has someone to tell her that this, too, shall pass. I hope that smile never leaves her face. I hope that she never thinks that appearance has the power to outshine one’s talent, abilities, and personality. Lastly, I hope that the people commenting cruelly on her photos can heal from their traumas and insecurities, which they chose to inflict on a young girl whose only fault was that she did well in her exams.

P.S. – I just found out that there is a term for the prejudice people harbour against others based on their appearance. It’s called lookism. However, that doesn’t change anything I have written above.

Image credits: DNA India

The post There Is A Prachi In All Of Us! Why, As A Society, Can’t We Look Beyond Appearance? appeared first on Women's Web.

Imagine studying for 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 whole years for the JEE exam only to find out that there’s only a very, very slim chance of getting into an IIT. It is a fact widely acknowledged that the IIT-JEE is one of the toughest exams not just in India but in the whole world. Apart from IITs, the NITs and IIITs of India also accept the JEE scores for admission. There are said to be a total of 23 IITs, 31 NITs and 25 IIITs across the country.

Now, let’s first get a few facts about the IITs right. First, according to the NIRF rankings of 2023, only 17 IITs rank in the top 50 engineering colleges of India and only a few (around 5) IITs are in the list of the world’s top 100 engineering colleges. Second, the dropout rate of IIT-qualifying students stands at least at 20%, with reasons being cited ranging from academic pressure and unmanageable workload to caste discrimination and high levels of competition within the IIT.

So, it’s quite clear that the journey of making it through IIT is as challenging as the journey of getting into an IIT. Third and most important of all, the acceptance rate or the odds of getting into an IIT are below 3% which is a lot lower than the acceptance rate of highly and very highly ranked US universities. Four, getting into an IIT of one’s choice doesn’t mean one will also get into a branch of one’s preference at that IIT.

As for the NITs and the IIITs, according to the 2023 NIRF rankings, only 22 NITs were in the top 100 engineering colleges of India, of which only 11 were in the top 50, while only 3 of the 25 IIITs were in the top 100 engineering colleges of India while none was in the top 50. Besides, getting into an IIT (or an NIT for that matter) doesn’t guarantee job placement (or even graduation). In fact, IITs are facing a major job placement issue (if not a crisis).

Make an informed decision

The calculations that follow are not exact, but the purpose is to give the reader a rough but fair enough idea about the chances of making it to an IIT or NIT. In 2023, around 11 lakh unique students appeared for the JEE exam and there were around 17K seats in all the IITs and so, assuming that all these students wanted to get into an IIT as their first choice, the odds of getting an IIT seat were as low as 1.56% (that is, there was a nearly 98.44% chance of not getting the seat).

Similarly, for the same year, NITs offered near about 24K engineering seats, meaning that if students wanted to get into either an IIT or an NIT as their most preferred choices, then the chances of getting into either of the two were as low as 3.7% (which means a nearly 96.3% chance of not getting in).

When one realizes and understands how the odds are very much stacked against any student, is there a point in still pursuing these institutes so aggressively and spending so much of one’s valuable time, energy, money and efforts on not-at-all-easy preparations?

The rigorous preparations for cracking JEE for IIT certainly takes a toll on one’s overall well-being. Is there, then, any point in spending hard-earned money and savings or taking out a loan for IIT-JEE coaching classes? Also, taking admission into the “best coaching classes” doesn’t guarantee admission or a seat of your choice in an IIT or NIT. Then, sending children to a different city (or place) to study for IIT-JEE doesn’t really seem to be worth it at all. And, if spending tens of lakhs of rupees (on coaching in coaching institutes and other expenses for the IIT-JEE preparation) is the idea, then might as well complete the undergraduate studies from a better ranked university abroad.

What does the student really want?

Questions that are of far more importance and relevance here are:-

1. Is a student certain that engineering is what the student truly wishes to pursue?
2. Does the student really want to live away from home for IIT-JEE preparation or even while pursuing engineering?
3. Does the student feel that the student should compete for an IIT or NIT seat that there is a less than 5% chance of getting (or in other words, over 95% chance of NOT getting)?
4. Does one really find it worth it to spend lakhs of rupees on IIT-JEE preparations when the odds of getting into an IIT are so low?

Sure, children should be taught to aspire to be successful, but what everyone needs to understand here is that success can mean different things to different people – for someone, success might mean getting a dream home/car/job, while for someone it might mean getting a chance to serve the underprivileged, while for someone else it could mean feeling content and living a healthy life and for somebody else it could mean being able to pursue their hobbies to their heart’s content.

Today, you don’t have to be an IIT student to be able to do innovative research or to have your innovative solutions taken seriously. It’s, thus, important to consider other factors such as the location of college also while planning which colleges to aim for. Why not make life easier for the student and shift the focus of studies on engineering entrance exams where there are better chances of success and of getting into a college and branch of one’s liking? After getting into an engineering college, one can, then, choose the path of working towards pursuing a master’s degree from a university abroad that has a better ranking than the IITs and way better odds of getting into compared to an IIT or NIT. It’s so, so important to spread awareness regarding this among everybody. If you are reading this, please give it some thought.

It’s always better to take well-informed decisions and think properly and thoroughly before getting into something as intensive and demanding as the JEE exam studies and preparations. And so, it’s crucial to teach children that IITs aren’t the only way to achieve whatever dreams a child may have and that there are multiple paths that can lead to a successful, happy and comfortable life. The idea of this post is not to discourage anybody from achieving their dreams but for every one of us to realize that giving too much importance to one exam is not really fair and may not actually be in the interest of students and their career. Thus, JEE preparations for IIT may just not be the right or sensible choice for so many of us.

The post Just Do The Math, Is Even Trying For An IIT Really Worth It? appeared first on Women's Web.

It is amazing when a person turns personal adversity into a calling, and extends empathy to make a significant impact in the lives of other people. This has been the life’s journey of Dr Nalini Parthasarathi.

April 17 is World Hemophilia Day. Dr Nalini Parthasarathi, 79, based in Puducherry has dedicated 30 years of her life caring for people suffering from hemophilia. She was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2023.

Hemophilia is a condition where one or more clotting factor is absent leading to bleeding. Severe cases can be life-threatening.

It was her poor health during her childhood and growing years that made Dr Nalini a compassionate doctor. She was hospitalized repeatedly and had multiple surgeries in childhood. She turned her adversity into an opportunity to help others.

An excellent student

Undeterred by her uncertain health, she was an excellent student both in school and college. “My poor health motivated me to become a doctor. Also, having met so many doctors through my childhood, I was naturally attracted to the profession,” she says. Completing her MD in pediatrics at JIPMER Puducherry, she worked there as a consultant.

“I looked after thalassemia and leukemia patients at the hospital. Since I was handling blood disorders, people started bringing their children with hemophilia to me. I underwent special training in pediatric hematology with special reference to hemophilia, maternal and child health and neonatalogy,” relates Dr Nalini.

She has practised as a pediatrician for 50 years. “I have always had empathy for my little patients because of my own illnesses in childhood. In fact, I know all about the families of my child patients,” she says with a smile.

Raising awareness

Her deep desire to help children and adults suffering from hemophilia led her to take voluntary retirement from JIPMER. She established the Hemophilia Society in Puducherry, of which she is founder-president. She was also instrumental in setting up the Hemophilia Society at Karaikal.

She has raised awareness about hemophilia in and around Puducherry. Thanks to her continuous efforts, treatments for persons with hemophilia are today available in Puducherry and Karaikal. For her contributions, Dr Nalini is fondly known as the ‘Mother Theresa of Puducherry’.

Dr Nalini has published more than 100 papers in national and international journals and conducted workshops all over India. She has contributed articles in newspapers and magazines on hemophilia. She has also participated in radio and television programmes.

A lack of the clotting factor in blood

“Not much was known about hemophilia in those days. It was known as a ‘royal disorder’ as many members of Queen Victoria’s family had the disorder. Hemophilia is a deficiency disease. There is one or more clotting factor in the blood that is absent in those suffering from the condition. So, when blood oozes it does not clot. Sometimes, for months together, bleeding continues. Hemophilia is a genetic disorder and women are usually carriers. Their male offspring have a 25% chance of developing the condition,” she explains.

According to statistics, around 1 in 10,000 people in India have hemophilia. But mild cases don’t come to hospitals. So, the reported figures are only the tip of the iceberg.  In the all-India registry, only four lakh people with hemophilia are registered.

Bleeding can occur into joints, muscles, or organs like stomach or kidney. Hemophilia can often lead to emergency situations.

Making free treatment accessible

“We did not have proper investigation facilities at JIPMER to confirm the diagnosis for hemophilia. At that time, treatment also involved giving plasma and blood which in some cases led to the person contracting HIV,” she rues.

At that time, CMC Vellore had training facilities. JIPMER deputed a doctor and lab technician for training to CMC. They came back to set up a coagulation lab in JIPMER. “I learnt about the Hemophilia Federation India in Delhi which provides treatment by giving intravenous injections of the ‘clotting factor’. The medicine is very expensive and was imported at that time. A vial with 500 units costs Rs 10,000 today and is not available commercially.”

Dr Nalini started the Hemophilia Society, Puducherry chapter, informally in the early 1970s.  Initially, she had 20 patients and the society was running from her office. Diagnosis and treatment (factor) are given free for all patients at our chapter.

Physiotherapy is an important part of treatment.  Swimming and cycling are also good activities for those suffering from hemophilia. “If there is a family history of hemophilia, women should get tested before marriage. If one child has hemophilia, I tell women not to have a second child,” says Dr Nalini.

Voluntary retirement

JIPMER is a busy place and she could not do much for patients of hemophilia. “We went in a group to the Chief Minister and said we wanted to start a small centre. He gave us a small piece of land. In 2003, he requested Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) to build the centre for us with CSR funds. In 2005, we inaugurated our centre.”

Many philanthropists have offered financial assistance to run the Hemophilia Society at Puducherry.  A US organization called ‘Save One Life’ gives scholarships to 40 children having hemophilia up to college level. Our society provides financial assistance to women from poor, underprivileged segments of society who have children with hemophilia.

Today, I have 300 patients. I have patients from the age of six months to 65 years!  Mothers of hemophilia patients have formed a support group. We also have a youth group as some young patients have committed suicide causing alarm in the community.

Cherished moments

Children with hemophilia come crying to me in pain. When I give them the medicine, they go off to sleep. They get up and smile at me. Those are my most cherished moments.

I have lived alone in Puducherry for 50 years. I like the quiet atmosphere and friendly people. I enjoy the beaches. Of course, it has become crowded now.

As for the Padma Shri I received this year, I have dedicated it to the hemophilia community, especially my children with hemophilia.

Image source: YouTube

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Picture this: A seasoned executive at the peak of her career suddenly grapples with hot flashes and sleep disturbances during important meetings. She also battles mood swings and cognitive changes, affecting her productivity and confidence. Eventually, she resigns from her job.

Fiction? Not really. The scenario above is a reality many women face as they navigate menopause while meeting their work responsibilities.

Menopause is the time when a woman stops menstruating. This natural condition marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years. The transition brings unique physical, emotional, and psychological changes for women.

Beyond individual anecdotes, the statistics paint a stark picture. About a billion women around the globe are expected to experience Menopause by 2030. This is a sizable number. Yet, workplaces often relegate the needs of menopausal women to the sidelines.

Why India Inc can’t ignore the reality of menopause

Menopause is an inevitable biological event in a woman’s life. It typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. This coincides with the point when most working women are in senior leadership roles.

Menopause can significantly affect a woman’s physical health, mental well-being, and performance. Physical symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and fatigue can disrupt daily activities. This makes it challenging for women to concentrate and stay productive at work. Emotional changes, including mood swings, anxiety, and memory problems, can erode one’s self-esteem. This may lead to decreased job satisfaction and performance.

To top it up, most women are unlikely to speak up about it! Despite its widespread prevalence, menopause is often viewed as a taboo subject. It is discussed in hushed tones or brushed aside altogether. This often leaves menopausal women feeling isolated, misunderstood, and unsupported. They may stop taking on additional work responsibilities and, in extreme cases, even drop out of the workforce.

Losing senior women talent can hinder companies’ DE&I and talent retention goals.

Where do organisations currently stand on menopausal support?

Several companies in India have started recognising the importance of supporting menopausal women employees. A leading MNC bank provides medical coverage and 24*7 access to doctor consultations for employees. A leading FMCG company is providing flexible work schedules for menopausal women.

These efforts are commendable. Yet, most companies lack comprehensive policies and programs tailored to support menopausal women. Male employers and colleagues may also lack awareness about the condition.

As a result, women feel reluctant to seek help for their symptoms. This often leads to underutilisation of available resources and support services.

Beyond medical coverage: How can India Inc. support menopausal women?

Medical coverage is a good first step. Companies also need to focus on holistic wellness programs. They need to address the physical, emotional, and psychological aspects of Menopause.

Access to mental health support services is crucial

Menopause often brings about significant mental health challenges. This includes mood swings, anxiety, depression, and difficulty concentrating.

Companies need to integrate mental health support services into their wellness programs. These services will help employees deal with the emotional aspects of Menopause. Access to coaching, counselling, and support groups for menopausal women will also help.

This proactive approach will also reflect a commitment to employee well-being.

Flexible work policies empower menopausal women

Flexible work arrangements allow women to manage their symptoms better. Options to adjust work hours, telecommute, or take breaks as needed can help ease the discomfort associated with Menopause. This will also allow employees to contribute effectively at work while caring for their well-being.

Some organisations have policies on remote work, flexible scheduling, or compressed work weeks. These initiatives help women maintain effective work-life balance during this significant transition.

Education and training break the taboos around Menopause

Menopause is often shrouded in societal taboos and misconceptions in India. Many women fear judgement or discrimination in the workplace. This makes them uncomfortable in disclosing their menopausal status.

Creating a culture of acceptance and support within organisations requires proactive measures. Strategies for reducing stigma include implementing training sessions, workshops, and informational materials that address common misconceptions and provide guidance for support.

Open dialogue and communication channels in organisations around Menopause can help normalise discussions. Sensitisation will also pave the way for a more supportive and empathetic culture.

Face the facts: Menopause is a reality that matters in the workplace

Menopause may significantly impact a woman’s career and mindset. Societal stigma and cultural taboos force many women to face these challenges alone in silence.

India Inc. needs to recognise the needs of women at this life stage. Open support and dialogue will help prevent the exodus of senior women talent and ensure workplace productivity.

Companies need to look beyond comprehensive medical coverage for menopausal women. Mental health support, flexible work policies, and workshops create an inclusive work environment. These measures also enhance employee well-being, productivity, and retention.

A culture of empathy and support at different life stages will make every employee feel valued, respected, and supported. This will also enable women to succeed and thrive in the workplace.

Image source: YouTube/ a still from Listen, Amaya

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Neena inhaled the aroma that emanated from the pan and took a deep breath. The aroma of cumin interspersed with butter transported her back to the modest kitchen in her native village. She could picture her father standing in the kitchen wearing his white crisp kurta as he made delectable concoctions for his only daughter.

Neena grew up in a home where both her parents worked together in tandem to keep the house up and running. She had a blissful childhood in her modest two-room house. The house was small but every nook and cranny gave her memories of a lifetime. Neena’s young heart imagined that her life would follow the same cheerful course. But how wrong she was!

When she was sixteen, the catastrophic clutches of destiny snatched away her parents. They passed away in a road accident and Neena was devastated. Relatives thronged her now gloomy house and soon it was decided that she should be married off.

Neena wanted to study further but she had little say in the matter. With her parents gone, she had to concede to her uncles’ decision. After all, by getting her married they could get rid of the responsibility of a young girl. So, at sixteen Neena found herself married to Sunil.

In the beginning, Sunil was good to her. He was kind to her and it seemed to her that probably he loved her. But within months of them getting married, slowly, and steadily he changed. He would shout at her at the drop of a hat. If the food was not to his liking, he would yell at her. If she forgot to iron his shirt, he would go berserk. Things that looked trivial to her created turbulence in Sunil’s demeanour.

“Why are you standing here like a rock? The food will not cook itself. I am already late for work.” Sunil’s harsh words shook Neena from her reverie and brought her to her present- A present which was not pleasant.

Over the years she had grown accustomed to Sunil’s jibes. He had anger issues and Neena would be at the receiving end of his nasty outbursts.

There were just three people who resided in the humble second-floor apartment. One of the corner bedrooms was inhabited by Sunil’s ninety-year-old grandmother Sumitra Devi. ‘Amma’ as she was addressed by Neena and Sunil, Sumitra Devi was a frail old woman who could hardly walk. She would be on her bed and age had shrivelled away her memory. She mostly rambled incoherent sentences and Neena was the only one who could understand her gestures and garbled sounds.

As soon as Sunil left for work, Neena took a loud sigh. She could now stop walking on eggshells. But before sitting down with a much-deserved cup of coffee, she had to tend to Amma. Neena was the sole caregiver of Amma and though one would think that Amma was dependent on her, Neena felt otherwise. Amma was Neena’s lone companion in the corner second-floor apartment. Each day after Sunil left for work and she had to help Amma with her chores, Neena would ramble on and share with Amma her anguish and all that ailed her being. She would even outpour her dreams and fears to her unsuspecting nonagenarian grandmother-in-law.

Today too, like every other day, with dexterous precision she began feeding Amma her morning breakfast. Dabbing her face time and again with a damp cloth, she fed small morsels of porridge as Amma stared at her with a faraway look in her eyes. As always Neena began her soliloquy of sorts, “Amma, you know what? Today the tenth exam results were announced. And this time too amma, girls outshone the boys. I saw the pictures of the girls. They were beaming with pride and happiness.” Neena spoke animatedly and suddenly turned pensive. She paused as she waited for Amma to swallow the small spoonful of porridge. Making Amma eat was akin to making a one-year-old eat. It was marked with constant instructions of Neena uttering, “Chew amma, yes chew slowly.”

At times amma showed extreme displeasure and would not open her mouth. On such days, Neena would take Amma out in the residential park. There sitting underneath the sturdy Gulmohar tree amma would- after much cooing and cajoling – eat her breakfast. The two women would sit, one blabbering away to glory and the other mumbling gibberish. People passing by would peek at them- some with prying curiosity while others with a sense of fascination. Some would even look at Neena woefully with pity in their eyes. Yet little did they know that for Neena the time spent outside the four walls of her house was much cherished. The house where Neena had been living since she had gotten married fifteen years ago, was a constant reminder of Sunil’s aloofness and contempt. An air of sullenness hung large in the air and Neena was more than happy to step away from it.

Today though amma behaved like an obedient child and gaped at her as Neena rambled on.

“Amma, you know what, I was in grade ten when I lost Ma and Papa. I had been looking forward to appearing for my board exams. But…then suddenly I found myself a married woman. How things would have been if Ma and Papa had not left me. Maybe I would have been a smart and educated memsaab, like our neighbour Anjali.” Neena could not help but smile as Amma looked at her quizzically. Many times Neena felt that Amma was listening to her with rapt attention and was actually nodding along.

She continued, “Yes amma, just like Anjali. She works in a bank and have you seen how she carries herself? She walks with an air of elegance. I think earning your own money gives you that confidence.” Neena retorted with vehemence.

But the very next moment her voice fell. “Then what do I know? I have never stepped out and done anything worthwhile. You know amma, many times I thought of inviting Anjali home over lunch or dinner. How fascinating it would be to listen to her talk. But then, you remember how Sunil shouted at me and asked me to stay away from these feminist kinds.”

Just then amma snorted.

“Oh, look at me going on and on,” Neena at once patted Amma’s back and got up to get water for her.  At times she wondered if not for Amma who would she have talked to? She knew everyone in the housing society she had been staying in for the better part of her life. Yet no one could cross the boundary of acquaintance and waddle in the waters of friendship. Neena often looked at Amma wistfully. She had been told by Sunil how Amma used to be a firebrand of a woman before Parkinson’s and old age withered her spirits and body. Neena came to know from Sunil that Amma was a nurse back in the day. She would tell Amma often, “Amma how great you would have felt to be able to live your life like that. To be able to decide the course of your life…”

Many times, Neena pushed a pen and a diary towards Amma hoping that she might scribble something. Sometimes amma would pick up the pen and scrawl something. But it was never legible enough to read. Neena still persisted, in a faint hope that maybe someday she might have a two-way conversation with her only confidante. But all she could ever get were zig-zag lines and indecipherable words.

***

Days elapsed and while the nights seemed shorter, afternoons dragged at a dreary pace for Neena. On one such day, Neena woke up with a start. Yawning with an air of languor still clutching her body, she stood up from her queen-sized bed. She suddenly remembered what she had dreamed in the wee hours just before reality took hold. The sheer remembrance made her smile. Next to her Sunil snored blissfully. She sighed. She silently hoped for him to sleep a bit more. More sleep left him with less time to bombard her with vicious insinuations. With slow yet steady steps, she reached Amma’s room.

“How did you sleep amma? I had such strange dreams. I saw that I was wearing a pantsuit and attending a meeting. Can you imagine me doing that?” Neena went on while pouring water into Amma’s copper bottle. As she turned around, she saw Amma’s face. At once she felt something was amiss. Amma’s eyes were closed and her face had a white pallor.

“Amma….” Neena shrieked and ran towards her bed.

As she touched Amma’s forehead, she knew.

An errant tear at once made its presence felt on her left cheek. She was too stunned to move. A couple of minutes elapsed. Slowly she wiped her face and collected herself. She needed to tell Sunil. But just as she was about to pick herself up, her eyes strayed towards something next to Amma’s bed. A red-colored folder sat next to Amma’s pillow. Neena’s hand shivered as she opened the folder. It had a stack of papers. A few minutes went by before she could read what was written in those papers. When reality hit her, she sat there transfixed. These were the papers of Amma’s old ancestral house. Amma had left the sole ownership of the house to Neena.

Next to the folder was the diary that Neena had bought for Amma. It was the same diary that Neena had handed over to Amma many times, to hear from Amma but to no avail. Overcome with emotions, Neena picked up the diary as it was symbolic of their silent conversations over the years.

As she turned the pages with grief writ large on her face, Neena’s eyes fell on the last page. She stared incredulously at it as tears enveloped her vision. The letters though looking like a kid’s mindless scribblings, were legible enough to be understood.

“Study Neena. Become a memsaab.”

Wiping her tears, Neena couldn’t stop herself from replying, “Yes amma, I will …I will.”

The morning sun rays peered through the open window, at once drowning the room in its soft refulgence.

Image source: Photo by Danie Franco on Unsplash

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“I usually write during night”, says author Nivedita Louis during our conversation. Chuckling she continues,” It’s easier then to focus solely on writing.  Nivedita Louis is a writer, with varied interests and one of the founders of Her Stories, a feminist publishing house, based in Chennai.

In a candid conversation she shared her journey from small-town Tamil Nadu to becoming a history buff, an award-winning author and now a publisher.

From working in railways to curating heritage walks

Nivedita was born and raised in a small town in Tamil Nadu. It was for schooling that she first arrived in Chennai. Then known as Madras, she recalls being awed by the city. Her love-story with the city, its people and thus began which continues till date. She credits her perseverance and passion to make a difference to her days as a vocational student among the elite sections of Madras.

“I was happy, I could mingle with likeminded people because there were other vocational batches as well and we were mostly from ordinary backgrounds. And when someone transports you to a place where foreign vacations, English fluency are the norm, it changes and shapes a lot of perspectives. It kind of gives you the drive to succeed, to do more, and make it and this thought made me, I would say.”

Following her schooling her placement for Railways was delayed during which she did many odd jobs from being a dance teacher, to selling sarees.   “I was not someone who could be quiet, and then I got my appointment and joined the Railways, where I worked for seventeen years. And there were varied experiences during my work when I worked at goods shed, booking office and even one-man stations where I will be the only person running the ticket counter and taking care of the station.”

After many years, wanting a change, she quit her work and moved to Chennai from Trichy. This move opened new experiences and interests for her.  “After shifting to Chennai and my children started school, I realised how my entire day was void, till the kids came back in the evening. I was really bored to death, so then I thought why not explore Chennai by myself. I mean I have always had a fascination for the city so I started joining the heritage walks that were organised around the city.”

She adds that while these heritage walks were interesting, she felt their definition of heritage was very limited to specific temples and locations. This prompted her to curate information so as to make an inclusive heritage walk, with educational institutions, hospitals that made a difference, mosques, churches, working class histories, celebrating the diverse make-up of the city.  Her first walk was along Greenways Road, in Chennai which was very popular. This encouraged her to plan heritage walks (and sometimes bike-rides!)   exploring the histories of Royapuram.  Kasimedu, Vannarapettai. These areas from North Chennai have always been ignored as lacking history which she sought to shatter.

“So when I started working along North Madras, It was so fascinating, as the place is like a cultural cauldron with so many different people living a working class life. There was beauty to it that I felt was not being shown enough.  So, I focussed on those aspects with my walks and started writing on the side.“

Niveditha Louis on her writing journey

Nivedita Louis describes her foray into writing as a big joke that started on social media. She recalls that during an online debate about purdah, she insisted that it should be the women’s choice and how that led to her getting trolled incessantly on Facebook. Following the incident, she lay low for a few days followed by a post titled “25 ways to manage social media nuisance.” The sharp, witty post went viral and eventually landed in the Kungumam Thozhi, a popular Tamil magazine, her first published piece. This followed by her penning a series documenting her experiences, interactions from her heritage walks in the magazine Aval Vikatan which was well received.

Researching and history seemed to be her natural forte, and she continued with assignments relating to archaeology, history, women and cultures all within Tamilnadu. She built on her interest with learning how to relate Sangam literary texts to archaeological finds.  In her writings she simplifies aspects of archaeology in a simple, concise way. Her book  From Adichanallur to Keezhadi The Archaeological Tracks of Tamil Nadu (Adichanallur Mudhal Keezhadi Varai), avoids jargon but remains an informative text for anyone interested in history.

Other books like Vada Chennai (வட சென்னை) chronicles the working-class history and the diverse lives, livelihoods of North Chennai residents breaking stereotypes from mainstream narratives.  She won the SRM Thamizh Perayam Puthumai Pithan and Tha Mu E Ka Sa K Muthaiah Award for the book.

Nivedita’s writings focus on feminist histories and debate current issues with an intersectional lens.  This ethos reflects in her publishing house HER Stories. Last year they published seventy titles, mostly of the non-fiction genre, featuring predominantly women writers.

How Her Stories came to be

HER stories was initially a Facebook page which started during the COVID lockdown period. It was a space about current women issues, achievements which grew organically with many women sharing their views and experiences. In the 2021 Laadli Awards, she received the Jury Special Mention (Tamil social media).

“I am very active on social media and when I started this space, I realised how there was a lack of space when it came to women’s voices. So, I had organised online woman only meet-ups, which helped the community grow, and introduced many new voices who were eager to contribute.  This was very encouraging and we decided to make a web page and started featuring series, write-ups by women. Some of our initial contributors included Sharmila Seyyid, Uma Mohan, Dr. Narayani Subramanian and many more new voices. “

The popularity of the page with new perspectives, writings helped her begin the publishing house Her Stories with Vallidasan and Sahana. Their titles like “Dupatta Podunga Thozhi” (Wear your Dupatta friend) have been extremely popular, especially among young girls and helped foster meaningful discussions around feminism.

Being a writer, Nivedita recognises the struggles of a first-time woman writer and helps many articulate their voice with development, content edits as a publisher. She says, “I got the opportunity to write which is still hard for many others, and I want Her Stories to be a space that helps foster new voices, especially from marginalised sections.”

Women and writing

As a writer, she is very vocal about the challenges that are inherent to women when it comes to writing.   She shares her experiences researching , Ariyappadatha Christhavam Part 1 & 2 (அறியப்படாத கிறிஸ்தவம் – ஒரு வரலாற்றுத் தேடல் தொகுதி 1 & 2 பண்பாட்டுக் கட்டுரைகள் during Covid.

“See, it’s a different set of challenges that women face when it comes to fieldwork and research. To start with, a man can pack his bag and leave but I as a woman have to make arrangements for the house, for the days I am away, plan the travel, detail my activities, I mean as a woman it’s hard to just step out of the house.”

These books are detailed ethnographic studies that examine the social, cultural history of Christianity from the churches, practices and saints from Tamil Nadu.

Her other books Ammakannuvukku Neelanai Pidikkaathu (அம்மாக்கண்ணுவுக்கு நீலனைப் பிடிக்காது), Muthal Penngal & Paathai Amaithavargal (முதல் பெண்கள் & பாதை அமைத்தவர்கள்) reveal nuanced and well-researched cultural / social history often.  Following this her latest book, Christhavathil Jaathi (கிறிஸ்தவத்தில் ஜாதி) discusses the topic of caste within Christianity.

The lack of diversity and representation has long been an issue in the business of books. While statistics indicate that women writers, publishers have started to gain momentum, there still remains a huge disparity when viewed with an intersectional lens. In this context it’s important to recognise the personal journey of women writers like Nivedita Louis.

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