The open letter initiative

I am inviting letters from people who understand the need for women’s rights in today’s India to India at large. Open letters. On the subject of women’s rights. Woman to man. Man to man. Woman to man. Man to woman. Explain to India why we need a gender revolution.

These letters can be in any language, though a translation or at least brief description in English will help me.

While many have been getting vocal on the need for rights these days, most of it is about protesting atrocity, with little perception as being relevant to daily life. I think there is a possibility for the dialogue to dig in deeper. For deeper understandings that can sustain the visible attitudes to emerge and be available for all.

The format is a letter for three reasons. The first being the obvious. It is far easier to write a letter or email than an article for most people. The second reason is that it then becomes a direct one on one conversation addressed to the people it is intended for, rather than words spoken to the world at large. The third is perhaps the most important. I intend to compile a free ebook of these letters that can be downloaded and used or perhaps printed and sold to fund further initiatives (haven’t thought that clearly). In any case, the content will be available free for use always.

Then, we can encourage people to use these letters to read out in gatherings. Rural, urban, training programme content, political speeches, village fair shows, whatever. Find a letter that resonates with what you think, and read it out. This will allow the ideas to spread further, trigger conversations. And because the format is a letter, reading it to a gathering will sound like a direct conversation with the audience too!

Your ideas are welcome in the comments. If you feel strongly about gender equality, about the need to stop the subjugation of women, the country needs you to speak up! Write a letter to people at large. Spread the word, read other letters (which will get posted as guest posts here) comment, engage in dialogue, question. Let us keep the conversations alive and growing.

Note: If there is a specific group of people you are addressing the letter to, feel free to clarify it in the title. It does not have to be general always. For example, “An open letter to the college boys of India” or “An open letter to the Khap Panchayat, or traditional village elders” “An open letter to the women with a voice” is also fine.

Let us bring in the change. Let us be the change we want to see.

Form for submitting your letter for inclusion

Submitting your letter implies that you agree that it is creative commons content to be reproduced freely with credit to you.

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