Life Choices Belong to Women
Reminding Women That Life Choices Belong To Them
Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone wants to share a message. That it is her choice. Always.
The short film, which was produced by Dinesh Vijan and directed by Homi Adjania as part of Vogue India’s Empower campaign, got a lot accomplished in just over two minutes. It discusses topics such as marriage, children, love, sex, attire and much more.
The initiative from Vogue has seen ongoing support from around the world. It was established to raise awareness of the oppression of women in India and the violation of their rights, the campaign, has targeted print and online publications, social media platforms, multi-media mediums, and encouraged offline activities and fundraisers to propel its cause into the international limelight.
Priya Tanna, the Editor of Vogue India states that “as a women, as a mother, and as the editor of a fashion magazine largely produced by women for women, a pertinent question at the throe is ‘What does it mean to be a women in India?’. While issues of women’s rights and safety, and of discrimination and abuse in India have been subjected to many a national discourse, it can no longer be relegated to lengthy debates. It warrants action. And it warrants action from each one of us.”
Deepika is one of many famous names to have responded to Tanna’s call for action. Margaret Atwood and Sheryl Sandberg have also shared their own recipes for empowerment; as has Susan Sarandon, who wrote an editorial outlining the importance of raising boys with the right values and attitudes towards women; Sudha Murty, facilitated cervical cancer screenings for underprivileged women; Academy award-winning composer AR Rahman, who dedicated his album Raunaq, to the initiative; and Bollywood director Vikas Bahl, who chose to spread the Vogue Empower message by creating a special film, Going Home.
In Deepika’s film her voice booms powerfully in the background throughout the film. She states “My body, my mind, my choice.” This provides an extremely empowering message! This is something that I feel should be promoted worldwide as still women are not realising their full potential.
Nina is in her Honours year at The University of Strathclyde in Glasgow studying History. She loves keeping fit and healthy at the gym and singing to her hearts content. Because of Nina's love of all things history related, she has a passion for reading, writing and researching. Nina is the Editor-in-Chief for an online magazine for female students at Strathclyde called Her Campus Strath and wants to continue her passion for writing after graduation.