Women's eNews (https://womensenews.org/author/aparna-pallavi/)
Aparna Pallavi used to have a different name. Influenced by other people in India who wanted to leave caste behind, she found a new name that meant she could also leave behind unhappy family memories and embrace an identity fully her own.
India’s land rights act enacted Jan. 1 was considered a major milestone for tribal and forest – dwelling communities. But women’s activists say it fails to protect the property rights of women, some of whom are forming collectives to hold on to land.
A citizens’ report in India highlights the sexual violence suffered last March by villagers in Nandigram and calls for a special trial of local authorities. Despite media coverage of the report the government has not responded.
In the past three years, farmers in a central India region have committed suicide by the thousands following bad harvests. Now, their widows are left to grieve and worry about the arrival of moneylenders and debts they don’t understand.