Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh: ‘We The Women’ is a festival, created and curated by Barkha Dutt, which celebrates women warriors who have conquered small yet extraordinary battles. The open-for-all forum reached the National Law University Of India (NLIU) on Monday.

Barkha Dutt, an award-winning journalist, who bagged a Padma Shri for her news coverage of 2004 Tsunami is also known for her valorous reportage of 1999 Kargil War. The woman who generally writes news is making news by empowering unheard voices in the country.

Ms. Dutt, who was here on Monday for the feminist festival, opened the floor for panelists at NLIU, Bhopal and exchanged dialogues on societal stigma that revolves around women.

Women Judges? How Many?

Courting equality, Justice Gyan Sudha Misra brought up the curtain by spotting light on why there are only a few women judges.

My Short Hair Was An Election Issue: Lalitha

Next was Lalitha Kumaramangalam, a BJP politician, who was discussing the toll of women in politics and how it matters, said:

“I have short hair by choice but my choice (liberty) became an election issue.”

She added that women need to join politics at the grassroots level, but before that, they need to be “trained” to avoid any exploitation.

I’m A Sr Reporter For ‘Khabar Lahariya’: Suneeta

Suneeta from Mahoba is setting an example for rural women who are affected by child marriages and illiteracy. The 23-year-old believes “information is power”. Already a journalist for Khabar Lahariya, a media agency owned and founded by a collective of rural women, she said:

“Nobody in my family has acquired education of any sort. I, too, was forced to drop out of school so my parents can fix me for marriage but I love to gather knowledge. I gradually learned how to operate a smartphone and laptop. Today, I’m a senior reporter and work with several mediums like print and digital.”

“I Feared Marriage” says Mana Mandlekar

Image Source: Twitter/Mana Mandlekar

A gold medalist and a black belt in Karate said she was in 5th standard when her classmate got married and started “fearing marriage.” Addressing issues women face, she said gender discrimination and child marriage is common in villages. However, she added, “I gained confidence through my passion Karate.”

Revolver Daadis: Chandro & Prakashi Tomar

Image Source: Daily Bhaskar

Revolver Daadis, Chandro Tomar and Prakashi Tomar are sharpshooters, who outsmart trained professionals. Anurag Kashyap is all set to make a biopic on the shooting duo, the movie will starr Bhumi Pednekar and Taapsee Pannu in lead roles.

Iravati Singh, a student of NLIU also part of the organizing committee, said:

“The panelists were amazing! Today, we met women from all walks of life. From the first female auto driver in the city, oldest sharpshooter (Revolver Daadi) to CRPF woman officer but of all what personally moved me and brought tears in eyes of many was when Nirbhaya’s parents talked about the unfortunate day December 16, 2012.”

Other speakers included Uddip Social Welfare Society founder Poonam Shroti, Nirbhaya’s parents Asha Devi and Badrinath Singh, Rashida Bee of Chingari Trust, Captain Shalini Singh (a widow of army officer who joined Indian Army herself).

These heroines have overcome obstacles like gender discrimination, online abuse, domestic violence, child marriage, disability, mental abuse and many more evil forces within society, however, they’ve only outgrown from all of it.

The finale of the event was concluded by ‘Asaavari’, an all-female band from the city, who by their musical performance capped off the third edition of ‘We The Women’.

Story by Hemali Khanna

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