What Is So Vibrant About This Gujarat?
Much has been written and talked about patriarchy and the exploitation of women in Indian media, from female infanticide and foeticide to dowry deaths, gender inequality, and sexual assault, and each time we get shocked by particular incidents and think that that is about as low as it can get, new lows are set by men in the name of societal norms. In its 79 years of freedom, India’s progress has…
Gujarat, a state in India, has been hailed as vibrant, but a closer look reveals a troubling reality in the Vadia village of the Banaskantha District. The village exemplifies the persistence of patriarchy and exploitation of women, where young girls face a grim choice - early marriage or prostitution. This practice stems from a history where men, once swordsmiths, now solicit their sisters and daughters for money, with lack of irrigation leading women to turn to prostitution.
Despite efforts by social workers to encourage early marriage to prevent young girls from entering the sex trade, the issue remains prevalent. The government's schemes, like Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, have had limited impact, highlighting a stark contrast between the state's economic progress and its social regression, particularly in the area of women's rights and empowerment.
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