Kavitha Rao, Author at Women's eNews

Indians Rewrite Role of Women in Sacred Scripts

By Kavitha Rao ● Arts & Culture ● December 29, 2011

Religious epics in India are chock-a-block with patiently self-sacrificing women. In the past year, however, a trend has been accelerating for writers and artists to revise those characters in blockbuster novels, essays, films and theatrical scripts.

India Relies on ‘Two-Finger’ Test to Verify Rape

By Kavitha Rao ● Crime & Law ● October 20, 2010

The two-finger rape test in India is physically invasive and contradicts legal standards against using a victim’s previous sexual experience against her. A rights group is calling for a ban and a lower court ruled that it should be stopped.

Ensler’s ‘Emotional Creature’ Starts Off in India

By Kavitha Rao ● Arts & Culture ● November 19, 2009

Eve Ensler’s new play, “I Am an Emotional Creature: The Secret Lives of Girls,” just had its global debut in India. Some audience members found it to be preachy, but others said it fit the times.

Indian Docs Worry Emergency-Contraception Misused

By Kavitha Rao ● Health & Science ● October 16, 2008

Three years ago emergency contraception became available over the counter in India and now doctors there say it’s being misused. The solution, according to a tabloid sex columnist: more sex ed and better product information.

‘Eve-Teasing’ Makes India’s Streets Mean for Women

By Kavitha Rao ● Crime & Law ● December 11, 2006

Back in India after 10 years, Kavitha Rao faces the affronts and fears of “eve teasing,” the innocuous-sounding term for street harassment. Those who fight back occasionally suffer violent reprisals, but some activists are braving the risks.

Missing Daughters on an Indian Mother’s Mind

By Kavitha Rao ● Uncategorized ● March 16, 2006

Kavitha Rao is pleased to have a daughter. She just wishes more middle-class educated parents in her native India–where 500,000 girls are aborted each year–felt the same.

Britain Debates Outlawing Forced Marriage

By Kavitha Rao ● Employment ● October 23, 2005

Britain may soon begin to prosecute parents who force their children into marriage by making it a specific criminal offense. The practice largely affects South Asian immigrants, where it’s a divisive cultural issue.

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