Law
Interview – Madhu Mehra – Part 2
I think that the level of power that law makers, opinion builders and stakeholders wield over the more vulnerable and younger people in society is enormous. Yet, these actors have chosen to focus only on building a policy regime of sexual violence, even to the extent of allowing juvenile offenders to be treated as adult accused – without any corresponding effort to build a sex positive culture within which they may exercise agency.
By Shikha Aleya
July 16, 2018
Interview: Madhu Mehra – Part 1
In this issue of In Plainspeak, we interview Madhu Mehra, lawyer and feminist activist. She is a founding member and the Executive Director of Partners for Law in Development (PLD), a legal resource group on women’s rights.
By Shikha Aleya
July 2, 2018
Not a Job for Women?
A year ago, just ten minutes after I had landed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. I was introduced to this young lawyer – not the least bit enthusiastic, a big critic of the law, of lawyers, of the High Court, and most importantly, of women. “Let me tell you a secret: law is not a profession for girls,” said he.
By Nikita Garg
April 18, 2017
A Bottle of Liquor: How Bastar’s Adivasis Settle Disputes Over Love and Sex
A sense of humour, easy solutions and liquor as compensation help keep things simple. The Hirma episode is one of…
By Curated Content
The Government Must Rethink the Surrogacy Bill
The draft Bill appears to have been framed without addressing the actual concerns of the surrogacy arrangements in India, and could do more harm than good by leading to the exploitation of women.
By Curated Content
October 17, 2016
On the Rights of Women in ‘NRI’ Marriages
Often, these marriages are performed in great haste as the groom comes to India for a short holiday. In their enthusiasm to clinch, what appears to be a highly desirable marriage alliance, which will open up new opportunities, exposure and happiness to their daughter, the parents may throw caution to the wind and seal the match.
By Flavia Agnes
September 1, 2016
Illegally Adult: The Strange Case of Alisha Major
She was 17 when she was rescued from a dance bar. Now she’s 18 and she wants to go back. As an adult. And dance again. That’s what Alisha wrote in a letter to the Child Welfare Committee.
Alisha’s letter may be one of a kind. It doesn’t matter. It may even be a scam of sorts, in that she was pushed to write it. Doesn’t matter. What’s interesting is the jumble that it throws up, if you look at her choices through eyes that are not hers.
By Bishakha Datta
June 17, 2016
हिंसा और कानून; कार्यस्थल पर महिलाओं का यौन उत्पीड़न
काम करने वाली जगहों पर महिलाओं का यौन उत्पीड़न एक कड़वी सच्चाई है। यह महिलाओं के अस्तित्व, उनकी सेहत और श्रम को चोट पहुंचाता है; साथ ही उन्हें रोज़गार छोड़ने तक पर मजबूर कर देता है। महिला श्रमिकों को यह मौका ही नहीं मिलता कि वो पुरुषों की तरह बराबरी से अपना योगदान दे सकें। इस गैर-बराबरी की वजह से संस्थाओं, फैक्ट्री, और कम्पनिओं और इन जैसी तमाम काम करने की जगहों को, समाज और देश की अर्थव्यवस्था को काफ़ी नुकसान हो रहा है।
By Partners for Law in Development
June 5, 2016
Other Than Marriage and Blood
In the debates around the need to expand the rights that accrue through marriage to same-sex couples, what is often lost are the forms of legal recognition of relationships not in the nature of marriage or blood. As the nature of traditional relationships changes across India, with more people opting to live singly or with friends, we really need to begin thinking seriously about new forms of legal recognition.
By Siddharth Narrain
May 1, 2016
Rights and Freedom: From Street to Rehabilitation Centre
The fight for an end to discrimination and violence against sex workers in Cambodia, as in many other parts of the world, has a long way to go.
By WNU
April 5, 2016
Criminalising HIV
JOHANNESBURG – “If the law supposes that,” Mr. Bumble says in Charles Dickens’ novel Oliver Twist, “the law is an…
By Curated Content
December 14, 2015
HIV and AIDS Prevention, LGBT Rights, and the Law
As someone who has worked on sexuality and gender related issues, HIV and AIDS has been part of the larger…
By Siddharth Narrain
December 1, 2015
Issue In Focus: This Thing We Call Freedom
Chandra Deo Singh, a name not necessarily familiar to many of us, spent time in prison in1945 for taking part…
By Shikha Aleya
August 1, 2015
The Editorial: Disability and Sexuality
What can persons with disability do and not do? Can they have sex? Should they have sex? However well-intentioned they…
By TARSHI
August 1, 2014
Sexual and Reproductive Rights of Women with Disabilities: The Long Road Ahead
Motherhood is hallowed concept in Indian society – folklore and stories of branding women who do not bear a child…
By Shampa Sengupta