• Rural job scheme excludes single women
  Participation of women in the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme is an important intervention towards their empowerment. A recent survey of the scheme in western India reveals that the single women have been denied its benefits due to conventional definition of male-headed households, treating them as dependents, says journalist Kiran Bhatty.
• Muslim women challenge patriarchal marriage code
  Tired of living in a world governed by marriage laws formulated and implemented by men, Muslim women in India have come out with their own Nikahnama. It recognises their right to seek divorce and other entitlements so that they are the masters of their own destiny.
• Probing the angst and anguish of dalit women
  British author Valerie Mason-John’s new book Broken Voices has series of interviews with dalit women, recounting their horrific experiences of caste-based injustice and discrimination. During her five-month stay Valerie lived, ate and worked together with these women to get the feel of what it is like to be an untouchable in India.
• First ever welfare board for transgenders
  In a step taken to protect rights of sexual minorities, the state of Tamil Nadu in southern India has announced the establishment of a welfare board for transgenders. The move followed a public hearing by NGOs on the plight of the community and recommendations by a citizens' jury.
• Manual scavenging: Entering the belly of the beast
  There are millions in India who do the dirty job risking their lives. We never notice their lives or deaths. Bereft of the honour of uniform and the posthumous glamour of martyrdom, these soldiers sacrifice their lives making sure the rivers of filth flow unhindered, says S. Anand of Tehelka, a weekly magazine.

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