Women in Labour is Back with Another Season and You Just Can't Miss It!
- The Feminist Times
- Sep 5, 2022
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 6, 2022
New Delhi, July ‘22: Did you know that the number of women in India’s workforce dropped by 10 percent from 2012 to 2021?
This alarming figure was one of the many reasons that led comedian Aditi Mittal, filmmaker Christina MacGillivray, and corporate responsibility expert Laura Quinn, to launch “Women in Labour,” a freewheeling, no-holds-barred podcast that explores taboo topics related to women, work, family, power and everything in between. Season 1 focused on the drastic exodus of Indian women from the workplace and why no one was talking about it. The onset of COVID has only further exposed the challenges that women face, both in the workforce and at home, bringing dire consequences for the freedom, dignity and equality of women and for the Indian economy as a whole. Can a woman ever truly be free until she is financially independent? Can India’s economy recover and achieve its true potential if half its population is being left out of the workforce?
Now, season 2 returns with an equally important question: How can we emerge from the pandemic without taking a giant step back in women’s ability to participate in the workforce? This season, the podcast dives into challenges that women face while entering or re-entering the workforce, and shines a light on women who do the majority of less visible, unpaid work at home. Guests in season 2 include economist and author Shrayana Bhattacharya, author Varsha Adusumilli, Vice President, Godrej Industries Parmesh Shahani, doctor and social entrepreneur Dr Ruha Shadab, Oscar nominated, documentary filmmaker and director-producer Rintu Thomas. Discussions touch upon varied themes such as hiring, choices, mentoring, inclusivity. "Being a part of this podcast has allowed me to learn new vocabulary to discuss things that I could not otherwise express. It has definitely given me a platform to learn new ways of engaging with issues pertaining to marriage and family, life, education, and effects of work culture on women’s lives”, says co-host Aditi Mittal on the advent of Season 2.
“There was something very interesting to explore in this grey area - between what the data was telling and the fact that most people didn’t believe this was happening”, says Christina MacGillivray, co-host of WIL. She further adds, “When I asked friends and colleagues - basically anyone sitting next to me - about this, people were in disbelief that this drop was occurring.”
Women in Labour aims to bring awareness to a pressing problem and hopes to encourage a conversation that leads to change and inspires working women to stand up unapologetically for their rights. And we can't recommend it enough, but here's trying!
Podcast link: https://www.womeninlabour.com/
Podcast dates: Every Tuesday, starting July 19 till September 27, 2022
Instagram: @womeninlabour
Comedian Aditi Mittal and filmmaker Christina MacGillivray, in partnership with American Center, New Delhi, host the second season of their comedy podcast, highlighting the issues and taboos surrounding women’s work in India.
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