My name is Asha Sharma and I am a housewife. I first heard about Mahila Sabhas in the year 2017, when one of the PRIA’s field staff (“animators”) visited my home and informed me about Mahila Sabha and asked me to participate at the meeting. At first, I thought that this was like any other women’s meeting in the village and hence was not interested in the attending. But on the day of the Mahila Sabha, a woman from my neighborhood, came to my house and asked me to join them. I was very apprehensive and doubtful, but I was also curious, which is why questions in mind, I relented and attended the meeting.
In the meeting, women started discussing issues such as female feticide, domestic violence and child marriage. I heard these issues out in the open for the first time, making me aware of the importance of addressing such issues. Throughout the meeting, I was in awe of the women discussing these issues, making me understand that women have their own views, aspirations, and opinions, but for centuries, the society has treated us like a beautiful bird to be put in a cage. Generally, women don’t feel comfortable talking in front of village men in Gram Sabha. If any woman speaks up, she will be criticized by the society on her upbringing and family which is why most women don’t want to participate in a political forum such as the Gram Sabha. But Mahila Sabha has given us an opportunity and space to highlight women issues which were never given any attention at the Panchayat level.
Every year I participate in the Mahila Sabha and I think Mahila Sabha gave us the opportunity to widen our thought process. Now, women have silently started resisting societal and cultural norms. Mahila Sabha is a platform for us and it gave us a space to raise questions to yourself as how can we contribute for the wellbeing of our fellow being if we being submissive such traditions.
As for me, my thoughts and mindset have changed considerably. I started questioning the social, economic and political issues of our village without covering my face. I think I have a beautiful face and I don’t want to cover it and I tell other women the same thing. Now, like me, many other women got the courage to uncover the purdah system and to raise our voice. If such sabhas continue to be organised, then I am sure that it won’t be long before we demand our right for equality on a larger forum.