For Vartika Sharma Lekhak writing is an emotion. She believes that the thoughts which flow out of her fingers are much stronger and beautiful than the words falling from the mouth. Other than this, she loves to travel. She finds traveling one of the most democratic activities as it broadens her horizon and makes her sensitive and tolerant towards other cultures. Her other passions include Trekking and Biking. A Delhite by heart and Indian by soul, she is still in that evolving phase where every opportunity is enriching her learning curve, be it the stint as a teacher or the exposure in publishing house and corporate sector. Often labeled a ‘Problem Maker,’ because of her outspokenness over various issues that plagues the society. Born out of the anguish over rampant rape culture, her story ‘The Girl with Sealed Vagina,’ was the winner of Mumbai LitLive short story contest and now published as a short-story Anthology, ‘When Women Speak Up.’ Many of her articles and short stories on various social and women issues have been published in both print and electronic media, which can be accessed on the wordpress website: Because it Matters, Bra Strap. One can read the nuances of her travels on her WordPress website: Travels of Mast and Malang, Unseen Kutch.
How do we expect teachers who are themselves plagued by prejudices, to educate children who believe in gender equality? It's time to train the teachers first!
Portraying certain countries as 'most dangerous for women' leads us to believe that rape is a problem only for 'third world' countries. That's certainly not the case, nor can it be an excuse.
Indian women routinely lose their surnames, names, identities, and also themselves, in the name of upholding 'tradition'. An incisive personal account.
A woman on a cycle, and especially one who is unafraid to ride any road, is the best sign that a country is truly a free place for its women.
Seeing the power that the sealed vagina wielded, the women brought their daughters as well who they had left behind earlier fearing who would marry them if they lose the basic essence of womanhood.
The actions of men have encroached upon women's safety, turning them into a 'liability'. Society has failed the women of our country!
I am a mother of a daughter, and the world around makes me fear for her safety. Isn't it unfair that I have to curb her freedom to keep her safe?
How the modern Indian educated woman, who is visibly independent on all other fronts, succumbs to domestic violence in the confines of her house.
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