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Sreemati Sen holds a Masters in Social Work from Visva Bharati, Shantiniketan. She is a Development Professional, specialised in Psychiatric care of Differently Abled Children. That hasn’t stopped her from exploring other fields. Years of experience in Social and Consumer Research are also a part of her portfolio. A mother of two, she is passionate about travelling and writing. When she finds the time, she writes. Writing is catharsis. She has been writing on a number of online platforms. Her short stories have been published in various anthologies. She has won the Orange Flower Award thrice.
Today, my kids are 14 and 8 years old and know a lot about menstruation. They are not repulsed by the sight of blood, and understand the importance of making her comfortable.
As children, we were aware of the struggles of our parents, and we grew up to appreciate every small act of theirs. Do our children know the same?
Every daughter, no matter how old, yearns to come home to her parents' place - ‘Home’ to us is where we were brought up with great care till marriage served us an eviction notice.
Let's take a look at how a massy Bollywood entertainer Rocky aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani smashes stereotypes through its female characters
You were not born to please everyone around you. Those days are over. Live for yourself. Build your own identity and do not exist as someone’s wife or mother.
Recently, I attended two back-to-back funerals. A forty-year-old mother died all of a sudden, leaving behind her children. I paid the family a visit after all the rituals were over. The husband appeared cool and composed. He informed me that everything was well taken care of. The grandparents will stay with him to oversee the […]
We decided to launch “Dadiamma”, my mother’s brand of homemade, preservative-free jams and jellies made from jaggery. As I write this piece, my children and their grandmother are busy putting stickers on the jam bottles.
Breast check-up? What’s that? A middle-aged woman had once confided in me that breasts are for pleasure. Their sole purpose is mere gratification.
A 7 year old girl was murdered in Kolkata, and the culprit in whose house her body was found has allegedly confessed it was a 'sacrifice' as he wanted a child!
My mentor has helped me overcome self-doubt and shown me support when no one did! Here is my #MentoringStory about KB, who said 'Hi' to me first and changed my life!
Sankranti accorded prestige and power to a family on the basis of their elaborate menu, hospitality and grandeur, which was based predominantly on the labour of their women folk.
Most women do not get to live their lives the way they want, on their own terms. So why should they be tied down in their old age?
I realize that the need of the hour is to educate and generate awareness about perimenopause and menopause. For some women, depending on their genetics, it can last as long as ten years, followed by menopause.
Self-love is important. Self-criticism is equally important. But not to the extent of demoralising oneself. These awards needing self nomination and are then screened by a jury serve a purpose.
Gita Ramaswamy, a 'lapsed revolutionary', weaves an intriguing tale of land, caste and gender, which deserves a much wider audience.
A woman's body is important only for sex or for producing a baby. She is well cared for during her pregnancy. But after that? Her ‘womanly’ issues are ignored. If she chooses to disclose them, she faces huge opposition.
They made her feel that she had committed a grave blunder by stepping out to enjoy. The guilt of not mourning properly weighed down heavily on her.
All went well until it was time to wrap up. He chose to stay back at the guesthouse and occupied the room next to mine. The handle on the door leading to my room turned that night. Not once, but many times.
When I had reservations about bringing home a female pup, which would bleed and cause a mess, it was my son who taught me...
I was allergic to vermillion. But I was forbidden to wash my hair for eight days after the wedding. Sari was mandatory. Else, what would be the difference between an unmarried girl and a newly-married girl?
I flew into a rage. ‘Tell me…where should I empty my bladder after I have had my quota of water? Are we encouraged to empty our bladders at regular intervals? Do we have decent toilets around?’
Our society doesn’t treat their daughters the way they treat the Goddess. They will throw themselves at the feet of the Goddess but they will cry their voice hoarse if a daughter is born.
It was a matter of shame for a woman to eat publicly or be fanned while she ate. Women ate the leftovers, with no question of a second helping.
“Isn’t it enough that we are all looking after her? We are doing all her chores. Can you imagine that the men of the household are doing her seva? She is blessed to have us, Didi.”
She tells me about the money she has saved for medical emergencies that might crop up, and to keep her salary on hold. She has also prepared her 13-year old boy, taught him to cook, just in case.
It’s always expected that the son has to bear all responsibilities of the parents. Not the daughter. Her one and only responsibility is to take care of her parents-in-law.
Gradually, I realised that food was an effective tool for discrimination. Despite being the queen of the kitchen, it was the man who exercised the control. Food was cooked for men- whatever they loved.
One has to understand that every child is different. Not everyone excels in academics. Academics should never be the sole criterion to judge an individual.
A woman is who refuses to change her last name after marriage is still considered a rebel and a misfit. Her decision is still not accepted!
You are a part of me. So, when you miss me, feel your heartbeat. Here, let me show you. That right there is me beating inside you.
Read this tragic short story of the night during Kaalboishakhi that will leave your heart-wrenched and senses alarmed.
Just because I am a modern woman, doesn't mean I don't enjoy festivals. Traditional celebrations mean a lot to me and I'll tell you why!
Quarantine is not a new word for us. We have been putting people in isolation for some time now, right from pregnant women to some gods!
Every festival and every ritual in our society reeks of patriarchy. Narrow-minded and parochial, isn’t it time we ushered in a change?
What is wrong in telling my son about periods and buying pads while he is around? Isn't that one more step towards normalising menstruation?
A dad who wants to pass on his A-1 skills to his daughter
For five days, when we bleed and suffer from the cramps, it’s absolutely fine to demand the much-needed rest for our body. Proudly declare, yes, we bleed!
Right from her second birthday, she was told that her place was in the kitchen. Is a woman's place only in the kitchen? Does she have no other identity?
My father's best friend took advantage of this relationship and sexually abused me for years before I spoke up, only to be silenced. But I've now found healing by fighting back as an adult.
Isn’t it high time that we changed these norms and expectations? And one last word….next time you think of such ridiculous ideas, also remember that you have a daughter.
“You have been a true warrior, beta. When everyone around us refused to help, you were the only one! Salute, warrior! ”
The indignity of baring her breast, allowing strangers to handle her private parts and the disappointment of not being able to feed her child smothered her. The happiness that she had known was short-lived.
She had no idea how long she had stood looking at him. The doors opened to her floor. Holding her by her elbow, Arjun guided her to her seat.
As if taking a cue from his friend, the furry ball jumped on mother and licked away her tears.
Food was never special for them. It was a means of sustenance. Delicacies were always cooked for men. Women learnt to survive on leftovers.
She was not a conventional beauty. Her defiance and fiery temperament was deemed unsuitable for their family. The conditions laid down by her were totally unacceptable.
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