intersectionality

Video Page: What is Intersectionality?
A still from the video which says 'intersectionality'

If feminism is about fighting for equality, then how can we ensure that our feminism is truly inclusive and equal? Does it feature only a certain kind of voice or experience, and not take into account the multiple axes of oppression that another group of people may face?

By Curated Content
December 2, 2019
Video Page: What is Intersectionality?
Brushstrokes: Decriminalisation of Abortion in India
A slide of the graphic recording of the webinar series by CREA and CommonHealth. On a white background are coloured illustrations to give the effect of spiral writing pads and notes. A hand is visible till the forearm holding a pen and writing ‘The Implications of MTP Amendment on Access Beyond COVID-19’. The pointers are typographically presented.

The graphic representations of a three-part webinar series organised by Common Health and CREA address these questions and attempt to build an understanding of the decriminalisation of abortion and how it could ensure access to safe, affordable, timely and rights-based services.

By Curated Content
September 1, 2020
Brushstrokes: Decriminalisation of Abortion in India
Video: Explained: Transgender Act and how it affects the community
A screenshot of the video. It shows trans rights activist Kanmani Ray on the right side and on the left, a green-board design with the typography: TRANSGENDER ACT EXPLAINED, CHEATSHEET

Trans rights activist Kanmani Ray succinctly lays down the concerns around the Act, points out how its language reinforces the gender binary and highlights the fact that while seeking to protect the rights of trans people, the Act in fact discriminates against them.

By Curated Content
September 1, 2020
Video: Explained: Transgender Act and how it affects the community
Is POCSO Failing Adolescent Sexuality?

Age of consent deems sexual activity with persons below the set age as statutory rape, which POCSO has set at 18 years. However, the law in practice faces some unintended consequences, in relation to who it prosecutes and their ages.

By Mrinalini and Udita
September 1, 2020
Is POCSO Failing Adolescent Sexuality?
Interview – Amba Salelkar
A photograph of disability rights advocate and activist Amba Salelkar

But not every issue of discrimination and conflict can go to a court.Say for example, affording privacy to a young adult with disability to understand their body and sexual responses, or enabling them to access accessible sex toys or assistive devices related to sexual pleasure.

By Shikha Aleya
September 1, 2020
Interview – Amba Salelkar
Age of Marriage: Rights not Protection
A photograph of young children walking beside a tree clad in red and white school uniform.

It is necessary to recognize and address the key role that sexuality plays when it comes to our efforts against EFM. What we need to remember is that EFM “doesn’t just lead to a set of restricted choices; it reflects and reinforces a set of restricted choices that already exist.”

By Stuti Tripathi
September 15, 2020
Age of Marriage: Rights not Protection
Editorial: Law and Sexuality
A key hanging off blue thread draped around a branch

In our mid-month issue, Stuti Tripathi considers whether raising the minimum age of marriage for women from 18 to 21years is indeed a one-stop solution to check early marriages. She brings to our attention the many factors, such as family pressure, inaccessible educational and financial resources, traditionally defined roles of women, and gender-based marginalisation that together lead to early marriages and argues that young people need rights not protection.

By TARSHI
September 15, 2020
Editorial: Law and Sexuality
Reclining Vulnerability

Through multiple maquettes, I finally came across (since I myself did not know what the result of the form or figure would be) the Reclining Lady. She represents confident femininity and vulnerability. The feeling one has after taking a bath and sitting in the nude, drying oneself in unabashed nakedness.

By Noella Fernandes
April 19, 2021
Reclining Vulnerability
There I sat down and wept

“Be yourself, Sarah. Awkward smiles, empty silences, weird laughter, and all. It’s just a part of being human. Loving someone physically is never not awkward. Even if it’s a monogamous relationship. It’s only the comfort of familiarity that makes you think otherwise.”

By Anna Lynn
April 19, 2021
There I sat down and wept
Vulnerability and Romantic Relationships: My Struggles Navigating These Spaces
A zoomed-in photograph of a wall with differently coloured flanks.

It took me some time to realise how important being vulnerable or, for that matter, being vulnerable during sexual engagement was for me to have great sex and how empowering it is for my sexuality. After much thought, I decided to open up to my partner about my past experiences and other things I never used to openly talk about.

By Grishma Trivedi
April 19, 2021
Vulnerability and Romantic Relationships: My Struggles Navigating These Spaces
Should I Say I Love You?
A photograph, against a dark background, of a zoomed-in fence with a square lock hanging. The lock is painted red, left un-coloured in a heart shape in the middle.

Being vulnerable helps boost our self-esteem and self-worth by pushing us out of our comfort-zone. It provides us with an opportunity to overcome obstacles and reach deep down within ourselves to find strength and confidence to keep going even when the odds are against us.

By Shubham Ranjan
April 19, 2021
Should I Say I Love You?
Issue in Focus: The Heart of Being
An abstractly painted image with magenta and blue and splashes of red, yellow, and black colour. In the background, two brown-black silhouettes.

To chase down our own vulnerabilities around sexuality is a short run around the corner, five minutes ago, last night sleeping alone, with a lover, a partner who lost interest, the Insta post that leaves you feeling you’re not good enough for the hug, the kiss, the cuddle and are you perhaps the A of LGBTQIA+?

By Shikha Aleya
April 19, 2021
Issue in Focus: The Heart of Being
Swipe me left, I’m Dalit
An abstractly made illustration of a landscape with mountains depicted in yellow, and below, a blend of green-blue to depict oceans. The texture of the colours evokes waves as well as ice. On the left is a paper boat, yellow-white with blue-green hues, carrying a red rose-like flower in the middle.

Dalit women are primarily viewed as victims and survivors of various kinds of violence. Reification of the Dalit identity has led to the boxing of our existence whose dimensions are solely defined by the savarna (dominant caste) gaze. Our self-assertions of identity are commodified to create a warped limiting of our lives, creating an image that is voiceless in the minds of our potential suitors. We are not seen as being capable of desire, love or happiness; we don’t exist as individuals outside of violence.

By Curated Content
June 15, 2021
Swipe me left, I’m Dalit
Editorial: Representation and Sexuality
A photograph of two yellow flowers blooming amid grass. Dark green leaves are emerging from behind the flowers' petals.

We are, all of us, trying to hold steady, and to hold space for each other and for ourselves. And so, instead of trying to put together a collection of ‘all new’ articles, this time we are republishing some ‘ever fresh’ ones on the theme of Sexuality and Representation.

By TARSHI
June 15, 2021
Editorial: Representation and Sexuality
Video: What Is Intersectionality? | Queer 101 | The Advocate

Would you be able to describe yourself in one word? The Advocate’s Ashley Jiang begins by telling us she has…

By Curated Content
September 1, 2021
Video: What Is Intersectionality? | Queer 101 | The Advocate
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