'No Toilet, No Bride': Sanitation Solutions in India
Thanks for reading. Yes, its the people in slums within the city and those living in rural areas who prefer the phone over toilets. You are right in saying that most people take this for granted. But unfortunately its a necessity that needs to be soon fulfilled across India.
Women’s Right to Freedom of Choice: Commentary on the Niqab Ban
Dear Hebah,
Thank you for this article. You have brought out an interesting perspective of the niqab. When we speak of woman's liberation we must take into account her choice and in this case when woman's freedom is debated, the choice to wear or not to wear a niqab should in my opinion rest with the woman alone.
Dear Manar, the sexual violence happening in your country is so similar to what occurs in India. Every day we come across people who make cat calls and given a chance, they grope at women. It hardly matters if you are walking with your eight-year-old daughter, men can only see women in the sexual light and not as a mother.
Its sad that we women across the globe share this common thread. And unfortunately even if you have a woman at the top in the administration, it hardly makes a difference. All the same I sincerely hope that your country sees a better future and this vision holds women with more respect.
With Rights Come Responsibilities: Binalakshmi Nepram on Arms Control and Surviving Gun Violence in Manipur
Its very unfortunate to read that so many men are killed each year in Manipur. India is a country torn apart by violence from political groups and women are the victims like Binalakshmi has pointed out in Rebika's case. Whatever might be the reason for taking up arms, women suffer. Lets hope that with Binalakshmi at the negotiating table we do get to see the end of violence in this state soon.
Not Too Dark and Not Too Light: The Deadly Balance of Skin Color in Sudan
You have brought out the truth about skin lightening creams and lotions. Thanks for this article. I personally find skin lightening products very damaging and the campaigning through ads which shows a dark skinned women depressed and with low self-esteem suddenly and magically morphed into a diva with success coming automatically in job and relationships is a complete hoax. Such theories should be ban. But I guess it will take some more years for women to realize that true beauty is personality and even a dark skinned girl can be as alluring if she has the right attitude.
In India like all over Asia the skin tone more than anything else apart form cast, influences matrimonial alliances. This divide must come to an end. And only when one realizes its fake, will people especially women stop damaging their skin and body using these creams.
An Exercise in Self-Help: Pakistan’s Garage School Offers Its Students a Way Out of Poverty
Indeed this article is worth re-posting. Only if there were more garage schools many more lives would change. In countries like ours both India and Pakistan, where educating the poor children is not seen with enough purpose, such stories show how important education is in the lives of these children and to society as a whole.
Very interesting article about Buddhism. Its true tourist bring along a whole new way of life and with them comes the fear of influence, both good and bad. But, again its not always like that...as you have rightly shown us.
Ugandan Women Entrepreneurs: Chicken Farming as the Next Revolution
Very interesting article...just goes to show how proper mechanisms can lead to empowering women. Many a time huge capital invested in empowerment schemes fail but, NGO understanding the grassroots have come up with sustainable methods to do away with poverty and dependence amongst women.
Kashmir’s Economy Feels the Effects of Climate Change
Its true the impact of climate change is being felt irrespective of IPCC's mistake. The article is a great piece on how farmers are suffering and it brings to the fore the need for immediate steps.
While India and developed nations struggle to reduce the impact on the environment, its going to be a long hot summer for many of us and with water scarcity even hitting the urban areas this season, the scenario is rather bleak.
Thanks for reading. Yes, its the people in slums within the city and those living in rural areas who prefer the phone over toilets. You are right in saying that most people take this for granted. But unfortunately its a necessity that needs to be soon fulfilled across India.
Posted by lesley | August 5, 2011 12:20 AM
Dear Hebah,
Thank you for this article. You have brought out an interesting perspective of the niqab. When we speak of woman's liberation we must take into account her choice and in this case when woman's freedom is debated, the choice to wear or not to wear a niqab should in my opinion rest with the woman alone.
Posted by lesley | April 27, 2011 8:28 PM
Dear Manar, the sexual violence happening in your country is so similar to what occurs in India. Every day we come across people who make cat calls and given a chance, they grope at women. It hardly matters if you are walking with your eight-year-old daughter, men can only see women in the sexual light and not as a mother.
Its sad that we women across the globe share this common thread. And unfortunately even if you have a woman at the top in the administration, it hardly makes a difference. All the same I sincerely hope that your country sees a better future and this vision holds women with more respect.
Posted by lesley | March 4, 2011 10:26 PM
Its very unfortunate to read that so many men are killed each year in Manipur. India is a country torn apart by violence from political groups and women are the victims like Binalakshmi has pointed out in Rebika's case. Whatever might be the reason for taking up arms, women suffer. Lets hope that with Binalakshmi at the negotiating table we do get to see the end of violence in this state soon.
Posted by lesley | January 13, 2011 5:01 AM
You have brought out the truth about skin lightening creams and lotions. Thanks for this article. I personally find skin lightening products very damaging and the campaigning through ads which shows a dark skinned women depressed and with low self-esteem suddenly and magically morphed into a diva with success coming automatically in job and relationships is a complete hoax. Such theories should be ban. But I guess it will take some more years for women to realize that true beauty is personality and even a dark skinned girl can be as alluring if she has the right attitude.
In India like all over Asia the skin tone more than anything else apart form cast, influences matrimonial alliances. This divide must come to an end. And only when one realizes its fake, will people especially women stop damaging their skin and body using these creams.
Posted by lesley | October 25, 2010 6:19 AM
Indeed this article is worth re-posting. Only if there were more garage schools many more lives would change. In countries like ours both India and Pakistan, where educating the poor children is not seen with enough purpose, such stories show how important education is in the lives of these children and to society as a whole.
Posted by lesley | October 10, 2010 7:24 AM
Very interesting article about Buddhism. Its true tourist bring along a whole new way of life and with them comes the fear of influence, both good and bad. But, again its not always like that...as you have rightly shown us.
Posted by lesley | July 29, 2010 4:55 AM
Very inspiring article and one that everyone should read to understand how wild life suffers for no fault of theirs.
Posted by lesley | July 24, 2010 4:57 AM
Very interesting article...just goes to show how proper mechanisms can lead to empowering women. Many a time huge capital invested in empowerment schemes fail but, NGO understanding the grassroots have come up with sustainable methods to do away with poverty and dependence amongst women.
Posted by lesley | July 2, 2010 8:22 PM
Its true the impact of climate change is being felt irrespective of IPCC's mistake. The article is a great piece on how farmers are suffering and it brings to the fore the need for immediate steps.
While India and developed nations struggle to reduce the impact on the environment, its going to be a long hot summer for many of us and with water scarcity even hitting the urban areas this season, the scenario is rather bleak.
Posted by lesley | March 16, 2010 6:55 AM