Journal of Women's Studies: University of North Bengal, Vol. 12

Editorial

I am happy to announce that the 2023 Journal of Women’s Studies issue is now published.

This issue of the Journal of Women’s Studies carries academic papers that explore a wide range of topics such as gender violence, women empowerment, the role of women in building cultural heritage of India, feminism in art, prostitution, gender, patriarchy, ableim, social disability, marriage, and divorce, thus interlocking fields of literature, media, women’s studies, Cultural Studies. The Journal of Women’s Studies was founded in the year 2000. Since then, it has aimed to provide a forum for readers and writers to consider a variety of subjects and expand their knowledge of feminism and gender equality as they discuss and dream of establishing a just and equitable world.

The first essay on the issue, “Roots, Nature and Extent of Gender Violence and Women Empowerment: Discourse and Reality in India,” looks into the reality of violence against women as a phenomenon whose roots go deep in the history of our civilization. While economic growth has improved employment opportunities for both men and women in India, which has led to an increased number of women working in Indian job market, violence against women has also increased alarmingly. The study supported by primary data and secondary data (NCR, NFHS) looks into the coexistence of these combined forces that create a very complex socio-economic environment in India.

The essay “The Role of Woman in Building Cultural Heritage of India” begins with a view that women in ancient India were not as wholly neglected as they are sometimes presumed to be, and goes on to introduce and expand on the idea of “ardhanariswar”. The author profoundly delves into the concepts of divine energy, the balance between masculine and feminine force, “Parvati” and “Parameshwar”, “vak” and “artha”. The author’s point is reinforced by numerous etymological analyses and slokas in the essay. The essay also anticipates a society in which women will be empowered.

The essay “Feminist Philosophy of Art” explores the intersections between aesthetics and feminism. Feminist aesthetics exposes the objectification of women in arts. This essay examines feminist artists’ responses to the objectification of women in the traditional art canon, and the possible reasons behind this representation. “Prostitution and Slavery: A Discussion of Abolitionist Perspective” discusses perspectives on agency and empowerment of women and discusses prostitution as slavery.

Poor Things based on Alasdair Gray’s 1992 novel, is one of the most anticipated films of 2023 and has received 11 Oscar nominations. The story, which explores protagonist Bella’s defiant attitude in the face of strict societal rules that puts to question the gender construction and performance in a patriarchal society, is laced with elements of science fiction, fantasy, and dystopia. One aspect of investigating everyday life in Cultural Studies is looking at how a “person” is created and incorporated into the ordinary through different performances. The essay titled “Unveiling the Surreal and Subversive: Interrogating Gender, Patriarchy, and Everyday in Poor Things” attempts an interesting analysis of a woman protagonist’s introspection and her quest for self-awareness by probing into constructions of gender, sexuality, sexual pleasure, and morality—all of which manufacture her everyday identity.

The struggle of the underprivileged is one of Mahesh Dattani’s significant subjects in his plays. His plays question politically created mindsets, gender stereotypes, social standards, and conventional wisdom. The essay on Mahesh Dattani’s Tara examines the relationship between gender and disability, marginalization of women, and the exclusion of individuals with disabilities. Dattani’s examination of these interconnections challenge the assumptions of his audience. “Marriage and Divorce over the Decades: An Analysis of the portrayal of Marital Relationships in Select Indian English Fictions” deals with the intricacies of marital bonds explored in select texts.

As Women’s Studies course curriculum and seminar discussions and Feminism(s) and Gender Studies make us examine the ingrained patterns of existing domination in society and how we contribute to their maintenance and perpetuation, we begin questioning the oversimplified explanations of gender and other discriminations. This journal provides a platform for raising questions and engaging in meaningful discussions on some of these existing societal dominations and mindsets. I thank the contributors for their interesting essays. They will be an important addition to our archive.

Over the past 40 years, the global popularity of Japanese visual culture has grown exponentially, making it a multifaceted cultural phenomenon. Since the 1980s, manga (Japanese comics) and anime (Japanese animation) have been incredibly popular among the young adult populace.

Superflat and Post-Gender: A Case Study of female bodies in Ghost in the Shell and Paprika’ studies the female body in Anime and Manga with reference to Mamoru Oshii’s 1995 cyberpunk masterpiece Ghost in the Shell, and Satoshi Kon’s 2006 film Paprika.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to University of North Bengal’s Women’s Studies Journal Editorial Board and Advisory Board, to the North Bengal University administration for their encouragement and support, to the members of the Advisory Committee, and the Academic Board of Women’s Studies for their insightful comments and assistance.

My thanks to NBU Press team for their support. The authors reserve the responsibility of answering future queries about content, methodology, and referencing.

I express my gratitude to the entire team whose commitment and perseverance has made the Women Studies Journal 2023 possible.

With best wishes.

Dr. Zinia MitraProfessor,

Department of English & Director, Centre for Women’s Studies