Single, but not alone? Focus on erosion of women's rights outside institution of marriage

By Jayashree Velankar*

A 3-day consultation on Single Women was recently organized by Jagori at the India International Centre in New Delhi with the objectives of refocusing the spotlight on the need to collectively evolve the definition of “single women” to include all those outside the patriarchal institution of marriage and be inclusive of single women across identities including Dalit, adivasi, devadasi, sex workers, lesbian, trans, women with disability etc., critically assess policy gaps, discuss grassroots-level perspectives and develop concrete action plans at both the national and state levels to serve as roadmaps.

The consultation kicked off with a trip down history with renowned feminist activist and Jagori founding member, Abha Bhaiya, who spoke about one of the first surveys conducted with single women by Jagori in the 1990s, how the discourse surrounding single women’s rights and identities has changed, how there is an erosion of the rights of women outside the institution of marriage, and which identities hold power and privilege.

Against this context, set brilliantly by Abha Bhaiya, gender and development researcher Ranjani Murthy walked the participants through the diverse identities of single women, lack of agency or rights-based approaches to single women’s development and the current policy context.

Single women and organization representatives from Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Bihar, Assam, Rajasthan and Delhi made presentations on the status of single women in their regional contexts as well as lack of policies for single women at the national level.

Single women across identities and on the margins highlighted the criticality of truly intersectional approaches for both policy and practice and shared their lived experiences of exclusion, physical, sexual and emotional violence, negative impact on mental health, difficult access to entitlements, and denial of agency, integrity, voice and choice.

In the true spirit of co-creation, the group collectively charted the way forward, amplifying policy and recommendations and collating a charter of demands.

Some of these included social security for single women recognizing the unique needs of single women across identities, the need for disaggregated data on single women along the categories of caste, class, age, occupation, gender and sexual identity, disability etc., priority to single women in government schemes, de-linking scheme benefits for women with marriage, self-governed welfare boards with multiple representation etc.

This consultation brought Jagori back full circle as it was one of the first organizations to take up the issue of ‘single women’ (‘ekal aurat’) as a definitive category of women outside the institution of marriage and bring it into the women’s movement.

The motto of "Single but not alone," evolved by Jagori will only become a reality when there is concentrated and sustained effort by stakeholders at multiple levels and a strong mechanism to hold them accountable.

Towards this end, this national consultation on single women aims to be a significant step towards addressing the unique challenges faced by single women in all their diversity in India.

---

Director, Jagori

Comments

Hyderabad protest demands end to Operation Kagar as senior Maoist leaders killed in encounter

By Harsh Thakor* A protest was held on June 17 at Indira Park in Hyderabad by the Shanti Charchala Committee, calling for an end to Operation Kagar and the start of peace talks with Maoist groups. The event brought together representatives from several political parties and civil society organizations. Among those who addressed the gathering were CPI (ML) New Democracy Central Committee member Vemulapalli Venkatramayya, along with leaders from the Congress, BRS, CPI, CPM, Telangana Janasamithi, MCPI, SUCI, CPI ML, RSP, and VCK. The programme also featured performances by cultural groups such as CLC, HRF, TVV, Arunodaya, Praja Kala Mandali, and Praja Natya Mandali. Public figures including actors Narayana Murthy and Tudundebba Upendar and academics like Professor Anver Khan and Professor Vinayaka Reddy participated as speakers.

Food security crisis persists in Gujarat despite NFSA: Survey reveals grim ground reality

By A Representative A new field-based survey conducted in January 2025 across Dahod, Panchmahals, Morbi, and Bhavnagar districts has revealed alarming levels of food insecurity among vulnerable communities in Gujarat, ten years after the implementation of the National Food Security Act (NFSA). Conducted by Anandi – Area Networking and Development Initiatives (ASAA) and community organisations working with mahila sangathans, the Gujarat Food Security Survey covered 1,261 households, purposively chosen to reflect the experiences of marginalised populations including Adivasis, OBCs, single women, the disabled, and the elderly. The findings suggest that despite the promises of NFSA and wide coverage under the Public Distribution System (PDS), food deprivation remains widespread and systemic failures continue to exclude the most vulnerable.

Land under siege: A silent crisis, desertification is threatening India’s future

By Raj Kumar Sinha* Desertification is emerging as one of the gravest environmental challenges of our time. Marked annually on June 17, the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought reminds us that the fate of our planet’s land—and the billions who depend on it—is hanging in the balance.

Victim to cricketing politics, Alvin Kalicharan was a most organized left handed batsman

By Harsh Thakor* On March 21st Alvin Kalicharan celebrates his 75th birthday. Sadly, his exploits have been forgotten or overlooked. Arguably no left handed batsman was technically sounder or more organized than this little man. Kalicharan was classed as a left-handed version of Rohan Kanhai. Possibly no left-handed batsmen to such a degree blend technical perfection with artistry and power.

Central London discussion to spotlight LGBTQ+ ex-Muslim rights and persecution

By A Representative On June 13, 2025, the Dissident Club in Central London will host a public discussion to mark the 18th anniversary of the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain (CEMB) and to commemorate World Refugee Day. The event, scheduled from 7:00 to 9:00 pm, will feature speakers Ali Malik, Maryam Namazie, and Taha Siddiqui, who are expected to address the intersecting challenges faced by LGBTQ+ ex-Muslims globally.

Better halves lead the way as organic farmers, entrepreneurs and social reformers

By Bharat Dogra Two major challenges continue to limit the full participation of rural women in development. First, their crucial roles, potential, and capabilities often remain underrecognized. Second, even when women are encouraged to take on broader responsibilities, the overarching development models may not align with their needs or perspectives and may even appear counterproductive. Under such conditions, it is unrealistic to expect women to engage as enthusiastic and creative participants.

Lepa Radić: A symbol of defiance and resistance, of fight against oppression

By Harsh Thakor* December 29th marks the centenary of the birth of Lepa Radić, a Yugoslav Partisan whose courage during World War II continues to resonate through history. Born on December 19, 1925, in the village of Gašnica in what is now Bosnia-Herzegovina, Lepa Radić was only 15 when the Axis powers invaded Yugoslavia in April 1941. In response to the occupation, she joined the Partisan resistance, eventually becoming one of its most revered figures. At the age of 17, she was executed by the Nazis for her involvement, refusing until her death to betray her comrades.

Hope from the Amazon: Land rights, indigenous voices, and the winds of change in Latin America

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* After several days of travel and digital silence, I returned from a rare and deeply moving journey into the Amazon region of Colombia. It was not just another field trip, but an opportunity to witness the pulse of Latin America’s land rights movement, firsthand.

Top agricultural scientists raise alarm over premature genome-edited rice release, write to PM

By A Representative A group of prominent agricultural scientists has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing serious concern over the recent announcement of genome-edited (GEd) rice lines by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), calling it premature and potentially harmful to India’s agricultural sovereignty and seed sector.

Search This Blog