Shadows of Azadi – Manisha Sobhrajani

Description

Azadi, or ‘freedom’, represents a woman’s right to choose, and to live by the choices she makes. So what happens when your choices are taken away from you? When your childhood, education, worklife and self-determined future are controlled because of your gender?

In the conflict-torn and highly militarised region of Kashmir, ‘azadi’ can mean different things to different people. For one woman, it could mean expressing her innermost thoughts without the fear of punishment. For another, it could mean studying her preferred subjects, or going out with friends without being harassed. It could also mean being able to wear make-up, or certain clothes, even to read whatever she likes.

Shadows of Azadi is an anthology of essays by women from the three main regions of Indian-administered Kashmir-Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh-exploring what azadi means in a place where basic rights for women are controlled.