We have been featuring the best writers from our writers’ community for their committed contribution to FII, making it what it is today. FII would not exist if not for the passionate and loyal feminist writers’ community that we have steadily been building over the last three years.
This September, we feature Priyanka Singh. From talking about beauty standards made by the society to writing about the (un)contested ownership of the body, Priyanka’s exceptional flair of writing has covered a host of topics, keeping us hooked to her articles. Some of her other popular articles are Mirror, The Enemy: A Story Of Self-Disgust, Honeymoon Cystitis: Can Sex Cause Urinary Tract Infections? and many others.
FII: Tell us a little about yourself and what you do.
Priyanka Singh: I am a former marketing executive, who is now a full-time writer. My interest lies in creating compelling stories to portray and enunciate issues that we face as humans, especially through the lens of Sociology, Psychology and Philosophy. My focus as of now is to write about mental health, body and human experience in this day and age.
FII: How did you become a part of the FII writer family?
Priyanka Singh: I was looking for opportunities to put my content out there and FII seemed like just the right avenue for that. It was an especially dynamic and drama-filled time in my life, as I came to terms with my mental health issues. I had recently confronted my parents regarding this, and their reaction to it was almost amusing. So I decided to write about it in my first piece – I am not overthinking mother, I am depressed. And that’s how I became a part of the FII writer family.
FII: How and when did you become a feminist? Which issues within feminism are close to your heart?
PS: There wasn’t a specific event or point in time when I turned into a feminist. But being the eldest child living in a joint family, I had special privileges and my father made sure I was never mistreated, especially because of my gender. He never denied me of anything, and I got used to that respect. As a result of this, I became very outspoken about any kind of discrimination that I witnessed, at home or amongst peers. It was only much later that I realized that things were dire for women, especially those in marginalized, vulnerable communities. But what really shaped my understanding of the effects of patriarchy and the importance of feminism was my experience as a young adult at an all-girls college. There was a sense of insecurity and needless competition amongst some women, which led to toxic friendships and excessive judgement. This was the time when I took a hard look at myself, and there were far too many things that I hated, all powered by conditioning and societal notions of good and bad. The realization that this internalized form of patriarchy affects us and sours our experience as women is what probably helped me become a better feminist.
FII: What is your favourite piece on this site that you have written, and your favourite piece on this site that you have read? Why did they strike you?
PS: My personal favorite is Honeymoon Cystitis: Can Sex Cause Urinary Tract Infections? One of the gynecologists I spoke to told me that there are so many women suffering from cystitis who do not undergo treatment because of sheer embarrassment or ignorance. Things can get ugly if the infection is left untreated and that appalled me. It was time to start a conversation about this. My favorite piece on the site is Flying Solo: 5 Female Masturbation Techniques Worth Exploring. Why is masturbation still a taboo among women? I shared this piece with many of my female friends who cringe at and are somehow disgusted by the thought of touching themselves.
FII: What do you like to do when not writing about gender and social justice?
PS: When I’m not writing, I like indulging in philosophical fiction, psychology, cooking, music or doodling.
FII: What do you like about FII and our work? What more would you like to see from us?
PS: FII is one of the most remarkable digital platforms that I have come across with diverse content and voices. There’s a plethora of relevant information and opinions that one can find here. I would like to see more participation from marginalized communities, more diversity in content in terms of formats so that it can become even more accessible and enjoyable for the audiences.
FII thanks Priyanka for her timely and valuable contributions. We are incredibly grateful to have her as a part of our writers’ community and appreciate her for her deeply informative writing. You can follow her on Instagram and LinkedIn.
