WOMEN OF INDIA
Whilst studying at Panjab Univeristity about the 'Gender issues in India," my partner and I
were inspired by the determination, strength and independence of the female Indian students studying their Masters, challenging the patriarchal ideologies of women not being worthy of education. Meeting more women, farmers, entrepreneurs and charity founders, inspired us to tell the stories of the strength of these women, through a photography project. Showing the ‘western world’ a different perspective to how women in India challenge the strict male ruling and are powerful and worthy members of society. It was a very simple process where we took a portrait photo and asked them:
How do you empower yourself as a woman?
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KANIKA
FEMALE FARMER
“I feel empowered because I am helping my husband and I am coming out in my own will. I am not being forced, I am not being suppressed by anyone to do this work. I am coming out of this house on my own, to do this work and I feel empowered. “
SUNITA
SEAMSTRESS AT SAANJHI
“No one is forcing me to do this and when people come and appreciate the work we do it makes me happy. Being a woman our society doesn’t see women being good workers so I struggled a lot but then I started working here and it feels good to work independently and under my own wish.”
SUNITA
SEAMSTRESS AT SAANJHI
“From working I can give my children more and more education. Before I thought I could only educate them until 12, but now I think they can become officers.”
LAXMI
FEMALE FARMER AND STUDENT
“I make the decisions myself, my father has given me the full right to go so I can go to primary school and study myself and if some decisions have to be made for the house or for myself I take it myself. It’s not my father or my mother.”
GURIA
SEAMSTRESS AT SAANJHI
“Before, I was stuck in my house doing nothing, unable to educate my kids. Now, working here I feel complete”
SULTANA
PROFESSOR AT PANJAB UNIVERSITY
“I got an education and my parents motivated me very much. I did my PhD and graduated and now I am working. I chose my partner with my own choice and got married in a inter-religion marriage, and we are living happily married for about 28 years now with two kids. I am doing very well and I can make my own decisions, there is no interference and whenever I get a chance I also help others to empower themselves.”
After arriving back to the UK, we decided to produce an exhibition to bring together people to an inspiring evening showcasing the unheard voices of all the amazing women we encountered during our trip. Women from rural villages, women who have defied social norms and reached positions of power within society and those fighting for women’s rights in the country.The event was all in support of Saanjhi, a social enterprise we visited that makes unique fashion products with a focus on empowering women with jobs.
MEERA
FOUNDER OF YOUTH 4 JOB
“I am proud to be a woman and I do what I want, I set a goal for myself and work towards it and that is so empowering for me.”
