This bold and compelling anthology amplifies the voices of women across
South Asia, challenging entrenched patriarchy and advocating for justice
across borders. From heart-wrenching accounts of gender-based violence
to tales of courage and defiance, the real-life stories, analytical essays, and
inspiring poetry in this collection illuminate both the harsh realities and the
resilience of women in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal.
Women suffer from a range of violence, including rape, acid attacks, mass
rapes during communal violence, dowry deaths, caste-based oppression,
killings in the name of 'honour', and much worse. Our Stories, Our Struggle is
not just a collection of narratives about violations but a call to action, inviting
readers to join the chorus of voices demanding change.
At its core, this volume confronts societal norms that have suppressed
women's freedoms and safety. Its narratives, written by women, have
been inspired by pivotal events like the 'Nirbhaya' case, and the numerous
brutalities ignored, if not perpetrated, by regional governments. They
grapple with cultural shifts, complex emotions, and the impact of trauma
on survivors of violence and their families, prompting readers to envision a
future where equity and fairness prevail.