LIES OUR MOTHERS TOLD US: The Indian Woman in Hardcover

Throughout the nineteenth century, Indian women such as Savitribai Phule, Mahasweta Devi, Amrita Pritam, Medha Patkar, and Kamla Bhasin fought tirelessly for equal rights, including universal suffrage, property rights, and protection against sexual harassment in the workplace. These pioneering feminists believed that their hard-won victories would ensure a better future for their daughters and granddaughters, with opportunities for rewarding careers, social and political participation, economic independence, and equal partnerships in marriage. While on paper, it may seem that Indian women have made great progress in the twenty-first century, the demands of capitalism and persistent patriarchal attitudes continue to create a harsh and unequal reality, especially when compared to men. Overworked and burdened with domestic responsibilities, Indian women spend an average of 299 minutes on housework and 134 minutes on caregiving per day, carrying 82% of the burden. This heavy workload often begins at a young age, leading