Change, much like everything else, follows Newton’s third law of motion. If there is no action, there won’t be a reaction. If we don’t take the first step towards change, nothing will ever happen.
This month, these are the 10 issues that our users have taken a step towards by raising their voice, with hopes to start a change.
1. Creating a safer internet
The internet is an amazing place – you can do anything, be anyone you want. You can share your thoughts, engage in conversation with people across the world, be a part of something bigger. Sadly, a lot of people choose to be an anonymous, hate-mongering troll just waiting for an opportunity.
As part of #NoPlace4Hate, Facebook India and YKA’s attempt to make the internet a safe space, The Egoist Poststructuralist shares his personal experience of facing abuse online for being an openly gay man and how he tackled it without being abusive himself.
The Abuse I’ve Faced Online As A Queer Person In The Name Of ‘Free Speech’
Editor’s Note: With #NoPlace4Hate, Youth Ki Awaaz and Facebook have joined hands to help make the Internet a safer space for all. Watch this space for powerful stories of how young people are mobilising support and speaking out against online bullying. The internet is a magical space.
Follow The Egoist Poststructuralist on YKA
You can also write about your experiences with online abuse and how it can be tackled here.
2. Stigma faced by women dealing with addiction
Society almost always fails to see addiction for what it really is – a mental health issue. And while it can affect anyone, if you are a woman, everything gets linked to your character.
In her sharp article, Nandini Mazumder explains the shaming that women are made to face for drinking, smoking or using drugs.
A Woman With A Drug Addiction Deserves Help, Not A ‘Bigdi Hui’ Tag
Editor’s note: This post is a part of #BHL, a campaign by BBC Media Action and Youth Ki Awaaz to redefine and own the label of what a ‘bigda hua ladka or ladki’ really is. If you believe in making your own choices and smashing this stereotype, share your story.
Follow Nandini on YKA
Nandini’s post is a part of #BigdiHuiLadki/#BigdaHuaLadke, a campaign by YKA and BBC Media Action to fight society’s unreasonable labels. You can be a part of it here.
3. The forgotten children of Gorakhpur
It’s been over two months since 60 children died in a hospital in Gorakhpur because of a shortage in oxygen supply. Seeing the blame game that followed, and how quickly the tragedy was lost from public memory speaks volumes to India’s crumbling healthcare system.
Nissim Mannathukkaren, faculty at Canada’s Dalhousie University and a writer at The Hindu, reminds us of why Gorakhpur needs to stay alive in our conscience and the reality of our public healthcare.
When Gorakhpur Is Forgotten
” The tyranny of a prince in an oligarchy is not so dangerous to the public welfare as the apathy of a citizen in a democracy.” – Charles-Louis Montesquieu (The Spirit of the Laws, 1748). It is almost two months since the Gorakhpur tragedy in which over 60 children died in a hospital allegedly due to lack of oxygen supply.
Follow Nissim on YKA
4. Mental health is for everyone
Every year on October 10, we observe World Mental Health Day to educate, raise awareness, and eradicate stigma. But as India’s mental healthcare system goes from bad to worse and more Indians suffer from mental illnesses, it’s perhaps time for a new perspective.
Providing this view is Jhilmil Breckenridge who stresses upon the need to stop seeing things from a ‘normal-abnormal’ viewpoint.
Why Every Day Should Be World Mental Health Day
This story is a part of Youth Ki Awaaz’s weekly topic #WorldMentalHealthDay to create a conversation about mental health in India. Share your personal stories of coping with a mental illness, trying to access mental healthcare or any experience with mental health here.
Follow Jhilmil on YKA
5. #MeToo: Derailing the conversation
An overwhelming and heartbreaking number of narratives have flooded social media since the start of #MeToo. The campaign has reinforced the massive prevalence of sexual harassment that women face, hardly any woman would be unaffected.
While sharing her experiences, Suchetana Sinha talks about how a meme she shared (of Krishna stealing women’s clothes while they bathed) became an excuse to not just troll her but to also derail the entire conversation around sexual harassment and bring the focus on religion instead.
#MeToo: It’s Not Harassment If The Lord Does It, Right?
Editor’s Note: With #NoPlace4Hate, Youth Ki Awaaz and Facebook have joined hands to help make the Internet a safer space for all. Watch this space for powerful stories of how young people are mobilising support and speaking out against online bullying.
Follow Suchetana on YKA.
6. Women in public spaces
From goddesses to victims of sexual violence – that’s the reality of women in India. Homes, cities, villages, offices, schools, colleges, the unruly mob of India leaves no place. In her latest article, Annu Singh shares how she and her friends have faced sexual violence in different walks of life.
भीड़ के बहाने मेरे हिप्स और स्तन को छूने वाला ये भारत महान नहीं हो सकता
कुछ ‘अनचाहे अनुभव’ जब तक हम किसी से बांटते नहीं हैं, तब तक हमें ऐसा लगता है कि वो सिर्फ हमारे साथ हुए हैं। फिर जब उसे हम किसी अपने के साथ बांटते है, उस पर सहजता से बात करना शुरू करते हैं, तब हमें यह पता चलता है कि
Follow Annu on YKA.
7. Fighting society’s labels
When you’re born as a woman in a poor family, the odds are really stacked up against you. Everyone around you tries their best to pull you down, remind you of ‘your place’. Bravely fighting these odd is Vinita Rav’s inspiring story. Born in a jhuggi in Delhi’s Indira colony, she shares how she stayed strong in her resolve to educate herself. Today, Vinita is a research scholar in Delhi University.
एक लड़की होते हुए स्लम में रहकर मेरा पढ़ाई करना आसान नहीं था
मैं दिल्ली के एक छोटे कस्बे जिसे आम तौर पर स्लम एरिया के नाम से जाना जाता है वहां से हूं। मेरी कॉलोनी का नाम इन्दिरा कॉलोनी है जो पंजाबी बाग एरिया में है। स्लम में रहने की बात को आज जितनी आसानी से स्वीकार करती हूं, सालों पहले ये
8. Films that go beyond just entertainment
Most news from Bollywood has been reduced to ‘masala’ and gossip. Even when we look at market consumption, there is a higher demand for news on parties, relationships, controversies. Does this mean that cinema no longer holds a mirror to society? Busting that myth is Syed Touheed’s recent posts that focus on crucial issues in Bollywood that deserve more attention.
कहानी यश चोपड़ा और अमिताभ बच्चन की जिनके साथ ने बॉलीवुड को दिया एंग्री यंग मैन
अमिताभ बच्चन ने यश चोपड़ा के साथ पहली बार ‘दीवार’ (1975) और अंतिम बार ‘सिलसिला’ (1981) में काम किया। 1975 से 1981 के बीच अमिताभ और यश चोपड़ा की जोड़ी ने दीवार, कभी कभी, त्रिशूल, काला पत्थर और सिलसिला जैसी सफल फिल्में दी। ऋषिकेश मुखर्जी की तरह यश चोपड़ा ने
Follow Syed on YKA.
9. Supreme Court’s landmark judgement on marital rape
After a petition was filed under Section 375(2) by an NGO called Independent Thought, the Supreme Court ruled that sex with a minor wife would be treated as rape. Breaking down what this means, Rachana Priyadarshini explains how this can be a crucial step in putting an end to child marriage.
अब 18 साल से कम उम्र की पत्नी की ना का मतलब भी ‘ना’ ही होगा
माननीय सुप्रीम कोर्ट ने इंडिपेंडेंट थॉट (Independent Thought) नामक एक NGO द्वारा दायर की गई याचिका के मद्देनज़र अपने एक महत्वपूर्ण फैसले में कहा कि किसी भी व्यक्ति द्वारा, नाबालिग पत्नी के साथ जबरन शारीरिक संबंध बनाने को रेप माना जाएगा। इस NGO ने अपनी याचिका में आइपीसी की धारा-375
Follow Rachana on YKA.
10. Using farmers are political bait
A farmer in India is only important as long as they can be exploited for vote bank politics. Writing a piercing commentary on the BJP state government’s apathy towards its farmers, YKA user and state president of Congress in Chhattisgarh, Bhupesh Baghel says that the current policies have no intention of providing any relief to the farmers. Reminding the state government of its election manifesto, he asks if ‘achhe din’ will really ever come.
छत्तीसगढ़ सरकार का किसानों के लिए ‘बोनस तिहार’ पर भूपेश बघेल का विश्लेषण
छत्तीसगढ़ में भाजपा के लिए किसान का मतलब सिर्फ वोट होता है। किसान खुदकुशी कर रहे हैं और भाजपा सरकार मानती भी नहीं कि क़र्ज़ की कोई समस्या है। खुदकुशी करने वाले किसानों के परिजनों को मुआवज़ा भी नहीं देती, दुख बांटने तक की ज़हमत नहीं उठाती। सूखे से किसान
Follow Bhupesh on YKA.
Every month, thousands of users share stories on issues that matter to them on Youth Ki Awaaz. If there are stories you want to share, issues you want to talk about, log in and directly publish now!