Women changing India showcases the evolving role of women

The Women Changing India exhibition of photographs that have toured the world were showcased to guests at an exclusive exhibition at Gallery 011 in Kramerville, Sandton on 31 October.

The distinguished exhibition was a joint project between BNP Paribus Bank in India, Magnum Photos and Zubaan, an independent feminist publishing house based in New Delhi.

The collection of photographs portrays the evolving role of women in six sectors of society in India, from banking to politics, celebrating women and their contribution to society.

Publisher, writer and activist Urvashi Butalia played a pivotal role in putting together the project and explained her motivation for getting involved. “Women in our countries [South Africa and India] are so often seen in a terrible light, but that’s not the whole story. Women are doing really wonderful things and moving out of structures to make real change. They are entering new professions and changing lives at a grass-roots level,” said Butalia.

The exhibition was brought to South Africa because of the very similar history shared by the two countries.

One of the many women featured in the exhibition, Salma Rajathi, shared her story of shattering the glass ceiling in her conservative Muslim family to become actively involved in politics in her community. When Rajathi got married she was confined to her home and not allowed to read or write as a woman, but began writing a novel about women’s sexuality, which was dismissed by many of her close family members.

After an amendment was made to the Indian Constitution in 1999 introducing compulsory quotas in the village and municipal elections for women, Rajathi was pushed into politics to replace her husband when his electoral district came under the new law.

“I would write my book from the toilet of my house at night because of my family. But when it was published in English in 2004, I received much support. I liberated myself because of my writing,” said Rajathi.

I panel discussion followed the formal explanation of the exhibition, featuring four women who have overcome gender-barriers in various fields in South Africa. Panellists included Sibongile Mkhabela, CEO of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital, Khadija Patel, editor of Mail & Guardian and co-founder of The Daily Vox, human rights lawyer Kayan Leung and Kirti Menon, director of academic planning at the University of Johannesburg.

The women shared their struggles in overcoming sexism and racism in the various sectors to arrive at their positions and champion the cause of other women.

Patel said, “I am still unhappy with the space afforded to young black journalists to do their thing on their own terms…Some of the best political journalists in South Africa are women and journalism in South Africa has a long history of women leadership, but women still struggle with sexual harassment and our positions have not yet effected structural change.

“I am the granddaughter of illiterate people and now I’m the editor of the Mail & Guardian,” said Patel, reflecting on the massive barriers she and her parents have overcome to be where they are today.

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