JOIN USFive feisty women who made a difference during the pandemic
Every year, March 8 is celebrated as International Women’s Day. While one should celebrate the women in their life every day, it is also important to take a moment to appreciate those who have broken glass ceilings, stepped out of the comfort zones and worked towards changing lives around them.
This year, as a part of the second edition of Orion Wempower by Brigade, women who made a difference during the pandemic will be awarded. Metrolife spoke to the five women who will be receiving the award.
Kavitha Lankesh
Raised funds and procured rations for the daily wage workers in the film industry. Contributed towards the education of a few children, donated laptops and phones for online classes and paid medical bills.
As a film director, screenwriter and lyricist Kavitha Lankesh has made her mark in the Kannada film industry. “Film industries across the world are hesitant to accept women with a voice, an opinion and most of all, women who can command,” she says. The perception, hence, is that women can only make small budget, “art house” cinema and not big-budget “commercial cinema”. “Slowly and steadily, we will break the glass ceiling which is made of a testosterone-driven patriarchal system,” she says.
Kavitha is also a single mother by choice. “The main challenge has been for society to understand that I decided to have a child without being married. For instance, when I went to renew my daughter’s passport, I was asked to produce a marriage certificate,” she says. When she said that she was not married, she was asked to fill a form stating that her husband had abandoned her. “While many admire my choice, many think it is immoral. But generalised opinions of others really do not matter to me as I have the support of my family and friends,” she says.
Speaking about her late sister, she says that Gauri was her best friend and soul mate. “She believed in so many causes; speaking truth to power, fighting for the rights of minorities and women. She believed we live in a democratic society, hence she fought for secularism and upheld our constitution. I believe in the same beliefs as her and all of us, as citizens, ought to,” she says. She even draws inspiration from her sister’s efforts, except that she choose films as her medium. “But after her assassination, I have also had to show my solidarity towards many issues through campaigns and protests,” she adds.
Arundhati Ghosh
Raised money for 132 families of performing artists across various states, as well as for sex workers and transgender people.
Arundhati Ghosh is the executive director of the India Foundation for the Arts (IFA). Twenty years ago, she joined the foundation when she realised that after spending seven years in the corporate sector, she wanted to do something that would be meaningful.
When the pandemic hit, she saw that livelihoods that involved touch and intimacy were the most affected. While people were talking about migrant labour, hawkers and street food vendors, sex workers would be ignored in most conversations. She organised a fundraiser for Sangama to this end. “My key motivating factor was that I think of sex work as labour just like any other. The only difference is that there are so many societal, legal and moral prejudices, which leaves them extremely vulnerable,” she says.
For women, discrimination is a part of everyday life from childhood. “As you grow up you realise that you may be far more privileged than many other women who do not share your class, religion or caste benefits. You see how patriarchy dominates almost every space,” she says. Being a woman, she says, gives one a unique perspective that allows them to see injustice, inequality and oppression across social, cultural, economic as well as legal dimensions, more sharply.
Srijana Pradhan
Put her own life at risk to save a Covid-19 patient by administering CPR and saving her.
Srijana Pradhan is a nurse, who has been serving at the frontline since the pandemic broke out. “I chose nursing as my profession because of its non-negotiable ethical practices. Our primary commitment is to the patient. I feel proud of having been part of a team working during this pandemic,” she says.
Last year was an exhausting year for frontline workers. “We had to cope with death, working on weekends and holidays, difficult patients, seeing the condition of many deteriorate and even die and handle all that stress,” she says.
The virus, she says, has imposed an extra burden on female health care workers. “Personal life has been incredibly demanding for female workers since women predominately assume the role of caregiver at home as well, making it difficult to attain any work-life balance. Female health care workers need more protection beyond the mask,” she says.
Susan Timothy
Provided dry rations and financial assistance to single-parent families and people who lost jobs. Set up groceries, and medicines delivery service in apartments to provide employment to a group of young men. A part of the funds also went to feed around 200 dogs daily in the HSR area.
Life-coach and humanitarian, Susan Timothy, decided to pursue this line when she discovered the power of the mind and learnt to navigate to empowerment.
“Life will never be the same again for all of us. However, we are still here. Many need mental and emotional support to think positively and restart their life. More of us need to go out and share our stories,” she says.
People have discovered their strength by living through one of the worst events that humanity has ever encountered. The lesson that people should take with them even after the pandemic is over is that they are more than a survivor.
“2021 is brimming with hope. Are you willing to yield to hope again? All things are possible if you believe,” she adds.
D Roopa
Stopping exorbitant pricing by private hospitals and was instrumental in a Rs 1.6 crore refund to 40 patients across three hospitals in Bengaluru.
IPS officer D Roopa set her sights on a career as a civil servant when her father sat her down and told her that she should become an IAS or IPS officer when she was only in third standard.
The major highlight in her 20-year-old career, she says, is the Sasikala jail expose.
“This was not the first or last expose, but this shot me to fame nationally. The case got a lot of attention and the public was supportive when the government transferred me,” she says.
Apart from handling media pressure, it also taught her to deal with the pressure the system puts on a whistleblower.
Being a woman in a male-dominated field has been filled with
challenges. “Those who are one level junior to you will receive orders with a touch of scepticism, while higher officers never take you seriously. They can simply not concede that a female officer’s ideas can go well,” she says.
Many think that girls are week and protected and may fare well in exams, but can’t handle the reality, she
adds.
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