https://soundcloud.com/shivani-das-983855902/rediscovering-and-redefining-home-pt2?si=77e954d97e254052b43bd3b7f1dd70c8&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
The episode "Rediscovering And Redefining Home" captures the difficulties of travelling and other related issues during the lockdown faced by our participant who was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 4.
This episode is in Malayalam. The host for this episode is Athira NV, a postgraduate in English and the respondent for this episode is Najela, a PhD scholar.
This podcast is created by Shivani Das and Shivani Sankhla, as part of the Ideosync UNESCO Information Felłowship, June 2021 special cohort on intersectional feminism and digital rights.
Part 2
(Intro music)
Athira: Welcome again to the second episode of the Women’s emancipation terms and conditions applied podcast. This is the second part of the episode ‘Rediscovering and redefining Home’.
Athira- You mentioned that three of you are girl children in your family. In that context how did gender play a part in your life at this time?
Najela- Gender… As we are three daughters, gender has not been a thought-provoking entity in our family.
Athira- Male privileges are prevalent, particularly when considering an orthodox family. Have you had any such limiting experiences that pushed you back?
Najela- First thing is that for me, the word ‘orthodox’ is some sort of a confusing term. Because we generally use the term orthodox when we stick to the norms more than a limit. However, people often associate it with a particular culture, belief, norms etc. So, I’m not sure whether we can call it orthodox or not but as long as this culture or belief patterns exist certain things would follow this reference.
Athira- Are you implying the belief system of Islam?
Najela- Yeah, I’m coming to that. Oftentimes, when they (family) start to talk about it or they address me… As I have many friends who come from different religions, they say that I forgot religious practices intentionally or I tend to imitate certain people. That is one accusation.
Athira- Accusation from your family?
Najela- Yes, from my family. They say this because I cannot pursue the practices that they pursue. As part of gender, there are questions such as, “You’re 33 and still have no sense”, and “why don’t you put on your scarf when you go out?” Go out as in not to the store but step outside the house. They say, “God knows who all are watching you (without the scarf)?” “We don’t know if there’s anyone around our premises”. Even if there is someone, that does not bother me. But for them, it is again “why can’t you just put on your scarf?” If it can be called as a phrase this might be the one that I heard the most during the lockdown. Whenever I step out this will be there. I thought at first, why am I not wearing the scarf? It was not because of anything else but the difficulty in finding and wearing a scarf whenever I step out and it is not because of the thought of being rebellious against it. I feel comfortable in whatever I am wearing at the moment and go out in that outfit. So, I don’t dwell on the thought that what will others think about me not wearing a scarf. Mom complains about it most of the evenings and mornings. Sometimes she threatens me by saying “don’t you dare step out wearing this”. She has the power and authority to command in that house. That doesn’t seem like a gender-based matter. Moreover, there are certain things like this expected from a Muslim woman and when I lack them it bothers my family.
Athira- Alright. You mentioned to me that you face some physical challenges. Can you talk about it?