Where are the women?

Throughout my time in India, I have constantly found myself thinking “where are the women?” Whether out on the streets, on the bus, in a restaurant, or at a market, women are mysteriously absent. Yet men are everywhere. Where are the women? Are they in their homes? Are they allowed to leave? Are they swamped with domestic responsibilities? Is it improper for them to be out? Is it unsafe?

After two months and twelve cities, it has remained a common phenomena. Walking the streets of Kolkata, I kept a running count. The first 2 minutes, I saw 18 men and 3 women. Even in Bangalore, often considered the face of “modern India,” men are everywhere. Around the happening MG road area, or in malls, the gender ratio is more even, yet for the most part, I find myself surrounded by Indian men. 

Meanwhile, the women of Kodagahalli, live in a patrilocal society, as is common throughout most of rural India. Women marry outside their villages and move to the home of their husbands, leaving them alone and vulnerable, without relatives or any network of support when they arrive.

Kumari giggling and Neelofer hard at work

Unfortunately, this further disempowers women. In the face of child marriage and dowries, gender inequities in education and economic opportunities, and an overarching patriarchal society, a woman is further weakened, as she is brought into a new village, a new household, where her husband and his family is established and in control. 

On my last day with Ubuntu at Work, I spent a lot of time reflecting, and often found myself just watching the women interact. They were laughing, shouting at each other, giggling, sharing lunch breaks, singing to the radio, and chatting casually as they worked. And these are women from different castes and religions, women brought to Kodagahalli by marriage (which the exception of a few younger, unmarried members). They’ve learned to work as a team- they delegate to each other and support one another, they discuss challenges and brainstorm solutions as one, they develop their own systematic divisions of labor each day, and rely on each other to complete the job. 

Saying goodbye to Kodagahalli 

Even on my final day, I still found myself inspired by these strong, resilient women, and impressed by the impact of Ubuntu at Work. Empowerment doesn’t merely come from acquiring skills or earning an income, but additionally from having a community of support and solidarity.