That Takes Ovaries

March 19, 2008

This evening the American Center and Thoughtshop Foundation in Kolkata hosted a That Takes Ovaries program. A group of young women from Apne Aap's Topsia center performed a skit about women who were trafficked into Mumbai's red light district. The purpose of the event was not to raise awareness about trafficking specifically, but rather to encourage women from the audience to speak about the brave things they may have done in their lives. Some women spoke about discimination they faced in their education, others talked about their family's pressuring them to be married at a young age, and one woman shared her experience of her husband's wish to terminate her pregnancy because the fetus was female.

Throughout the event, I was looking at the Topsia women to see their reaction. At first I was apprehensive to them being exposed to such stories, but it actually seemed to encourage and motivate them. Afterwards they said they were very happy to have heard the stories because it made them realize how women from all spheres of life, from all economic classes, face gender discrimination. It's not just the poor girls in the slums who are at risk for domestic violence, female infanticide, or trafficking (although these occur more in village and slum areas). This group of teenagers came away from the event feeling proud of their performance and inspired by the other speakers, and I know they will share their experience with others in their community.