As the year comes to an end, we bring you the top 16 stories on FII that were loved by YOU the most. Is your post featured below? Check out!
1. “I Was Ashamed Of My Breasts”: On Bras And Breasts by Hira Naaz
“As a teen girl growing up into a young woman, you are often made conscious of the physical changes taking place in your body, much contrary to your wish. Actually, you rarely notice it first; it’s the reactions of the people around you, both verbal and non-verbal, that give you the idea that something new and noticeable is happening to your body…”
2. It’s 2016 And Facebook Is Still Terrified Of Women’s Nipples by Japleen Pasricha
“Time and again, Facebook proves to be that Uncle who keeps telling you your skirt is too short, but keeps a stack of highly sexualized and objectifying images of women in his folder. Facebook and I have had a difficult relationship when it came to women’s bodies, especially their breasts and nipples. The first time I was banned from Facebook for 24 hours was for posting this beautiful picture of an African woman on a motocycle. Till date, this is my most favourite picture on the Internet since I can remember…”
3. Reading Feminism and Islam: A Starter Pack by Zahra Khan
“As a practicing Muslim who is uncomfortable with many practices within the Muslim community and the religious justifications backed up with Quran and Hadith used for those practices, reading works by feminist Muslim scholars, activists and artists has been a source of comfort and hope that certain community practices can be challenged and improved through faith-rooted efforts. As I’ve explored the space of progressive Muslim writings in general and feminist ones in particular, I’ve come to like a few in particular that I’d like to share with you…”
4. “Not Same-sex Sexuality But Modern Homophobia Is The Western Import”: Ruth Vanita by Sneha Khaund
“In fact, she has consistently maintained that rather than homosexuality, it is homophobia that India has inherited from the West through colonization as she argues in her recent book Gender, Sex and the City: Urdu Rekhti poetry 1780-1870. She is also the co-founder of Manushi, a feminist magazine that she co-edited from 1978 to 1999, during which time she successfully showed how academic research and activist zeal complement each other…”
5. Furthering Patriarchy in the Name of ‘Women Empowerment’ by Swetha S
“We have all, at some point or the other, come across the term ‘Women Empowerment.’ We see it being thrown around way too often since sometime. But, how often do we stop, think and question all that is being done in its guise?”
6. Dear Men, Here’s Why ‘Believing’ in Gender Equality Doesn’t Make You A Feminist by Himel Sarkar
“The notion that some loose and half-ass acknowledgement of a vague and libertarian idea of gender equality makes you a feminist is fiction. The problem is always in the question asked. Now, in the 21st century, we have in our mainstream narrative established that for the most part, sexism is err… wrong…”
7. The Angry Indian Feminist Manifesto by Narayani Anand
“Opponents of gender equality often label women with strong opinions as ‘aggressive’ and ‘crazy’. Feminists often find themselves pushed on the back foot by the tone-police that is quick to label us ‘feminazis’ for simply demanding an equal voice. The analogy is absurd and outdated…”
8. What Led To The Decline Of The Matrilineal Society In Kerala? by Sheryl Sebastian
“I apologise for breaking your feminist bubble, but a true matriarchal society never existed in Kerala. Here, we take a look at a system that came closest to giving women decision making power, autonomy over their sexuality and their bodies and a control in the matters of their marriage and children. Let me take you through a social science lesson that might bring back memories of your class 10th History textbook…”
9. A 101 Introduction To Internalized Misogyny by Harshita Narasimhan
“Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you must have heard the phrase ‘I am not like other girls’ or ‘I am not like most girls‘ somewhere – either in a Nicholas Sparks novel, a John Hughes film, or even from your best friend. Who is the elusive ‘other girl’ and why are so many young girls so determined to separate themselves from her?”
10. इस्मत चुगताई का सेक्सी ‘लिहाफ’ by Swati Singh
“यह वक्तव्य है लेखिका इस्मत चुगताई उर्फ ‘उर्दू अफसाने की फर्स्ट लेडी’ का। जिन्होंने महिला सशक्तीकरण की सालों पहले एक ऐसी बड़ी लकीर खींच दी, जो आज भी अपनी जगह कायम है। उनकी रचनाओं में स्त्री मन की जटिल गुत्थियां सुलझती दिखाई देती हैं। महिलाओं की कोमल भावनाओं को जहां उन्होंने उकेरा, वहीं उनकी गोपनीय इच्छाओं की परतें भी खोलीं। इस्मत ने समाज को बताया कि महिलाएं सिर्फ हाड़-मांस का पुतला नहीं, उनकी भी औरों की तरह भावनाएं होती हैं। वे भी अपने सपने को साकार करना चाहती हैं।”
11. The Misogyny And Deception Of Men’s Rights Activism by Hira Naaz
“There is no denying the fact that patriarchy affects men too. However, it is difficult to surmise why someone has to come up with a counter movement to women’s movements, and demean all the feminists to fight discrimination when gender-based oppression of both women and men stems from the same root – The Patriarchy.”
12. Kerala’s Casteist Breast Tax And The Story Of Nangeli by Sheryl Sebastian
“Believe it or not, but there was a time in the early 19th century when women in Kerala had to pay a Mula karam or breast tax to be able to cover their chest with a cloth. Fast forward to 200 years later and the tussle between making a Muslim woman wear a burqa and trying to force her out of it is still on. It makes you wonder whether it is even about how much or how less a woman wears…”
13. Essay: The Life And Times Of Dnyanjyoti Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule by Nupur Preeti Alok
“Savitribai Phule, first female teacher of the first women’s school in India is a pioneer figure. She relentlessly fought against the dominant caste system and worked towards the upliftment of the marginalized. She demanded dignity for all women, for which she, along with her husband Jyotirao Phule worked their entire lives…
14. A Feminist Reading Of Kahaani 2: Durga Rani Singh by Adishi Gupta
“Kahaani 2 is a brilliant attempt at handling the issue of child sexual abuse, understanding its nuances from how it is silently aided by the various institutions around us, that is, the family, (in this and most other cases) and to a great extent, the school and the police, in how it deals with cases involving rich and influential families.”
15. A Critical Analysis Of The Surrogacy Regulation Bill 2016 by Malavika Ravi
“The recent proposed draft Surrogacy Regulation Bill 2016, passed by the Health Ministry, was cleared by the Union Cabinet on the 24th of August 2016; and is set to be introduced in the Parliament soon. Within a span of one week the draft bill received a severe backlash, being cited as discriminating and draconian. Although the Health minister JP Nadda stated that the bill was still open to improvement, he also said that clauses relating to the “exploitation of women and abandonment of surrogate children” would not be compromised on…”
16. “Dear Indian Feminists, Kashmir Is Occupied. Period”: Essar Batool by Japleen Pasricha
“Essar is a professional social worker and a human rights activist from Indian occupied Kashmir. She is a petitioner in the case against Indian Armed Forces in Kunan Poshpora mass rape case of 1991 and co-author of the book ‘Do you remember Kunan Poshpora?’ which discusses the case in detail…”
