10 Groundbreaking South Asian Feminist Reads

Feminist reads have gained remarkable recognition over the years.

Feminism is the belief in social, economic and political equality of the sexes. It is manifested worldwide and is important to female empowerment and interests. 

South Asian communities include Indian, Bengali, Pakistani, and Sri Lankan groups.

In South Asia, feminist ideals are not seen as of utmost importance, as women are oppressed due to patriarchal ideologies. 

These books challenge patriarchal narratives, explore identity, and empower modern women. 

DESIblitz provides you with a curated list of 10 groundbreaking South Asian feminist reads.

Seeing Like a Feminist –  Nivedita Menon

Seeing Like a Feminist by Nivedita Menon explores the intersections of feminism, politics and society in India.

Nivedita critiques traditional feminist frameworks and emphasises the importance of understanding the lived experiences of women as diverse and multifaceted.

She investigates whether feminism is not about a moment of triumph over patriarchy but about the gradual transformation of the social field so decisively that old markers shift forever. 

From the ban on the veil in France to the attempt to impose skirts on international female badminton players to queer beliefs and the unions of domestic servants, Nivedita deftly illustrates how feminism complicates the field irrevocably. 

Incisive, eclectic and politically engaged, Seeing Like a Feminist is a bold and wide-ranging book that reorders contemporary society.

A review on Amazon states: “This book is not an end, but a road to greater realisation and a worthy start.

“The language is simple and lucid, and ideas have been discussed very systematically.”

Overall, it is a thought-provoking book that inspires a deeper awareness of how feminism can adapt to the complexities of contemporary society.

Missing Half the Story: Journalism as if Gender Matters ­­- Kalpana Sharma

This book examines the significant gender imbalance in media coverage and representation.

Kalpana argues that traditional journalism often overlooks female voices, experiences, and issues, leading to a skewed understanding of society. 

She highlights the necessity of integrating gender perspectives into reporting.

She also emphasises that stories involving women should not be treated as peripheral but as central to the narrative.

Using examples from the media and her own experience, Kalpana Sharma explains the concept of gender-sensitive journalism.

She also offers an intricate look at subjects that journalists have to cover.

These include sexual assault, disasters, and conflict – and set out a simple way of integrating a gendered lens into everyday journalism. 

In a book review, Dr Tukaram Khandade explains:

“This raises the very pertinent issue of gender in reporting by journalists and can bring the issue to centre stage for discussion and deliberation on it.”

Written in a non-academic style, this book is possibly the first of its kind in India – one that attempts to inject a gender perspective into journalism.

For that, it is one of the greatest feminist reads.

The Elephant Chaser’s Daughter – Shilpa Raj

The Elephant Chaser’s Daughter is about hope when all seems lost. 

Written with raw honesty and grit, it is a poignant memoir that captures Shilpa’s journey from the struggles of her marginalised community to achieving her dreams.

Born into a family of elephant-catchers, Shilpa reflects on the socio-economic challenges faced by her community in India, including poverty, discrimination and sparse opportunity.

Through her narrative, she describes in depth her determination to break free from societal bounds and pursue education, ultimately becoming a successful journalist.

This memoir highlights ideas around resilience, identity and the importance of education in helping empower marginalised people, enhancing their voices.

A review on Amazon by Bridget Aegerter says: “Such a beautifully written memoir that I shall remember it for a long while.

“If you haven’t already, also check out the Netflix documentary Daughters of Destiny to meet the author and her cohorts.

“A book that makes you think long and hard about how hard you really have it.”

Shilpa’s story is an inspiring testament and a powerful commentary on prominent issues of class, gender and societal justice in contemporary India.

The Women’s Movement in Pakistan: Activism, Islam and Democracy – Ayesha Khan

In one of the most enigmatic feminist reads, Ayesha Khan provides a comprehensive analysis of the evolution of female activism in Pakistan.

Ayesha explores the complex interplay between Islamic traditions, cultural dynamics and democratic aspirations.

She highlights the benefactions of various feminist organisations and activists who have fought for the rights of women.

Furthermore, issues such as gender-based violence, legal reforms and political participation are addressed in this book.

Iman Jaleel on Amazon reviews this book: 

“When I read it, I learned a version of history that I was never taught in school textbooks!”

“I am so grateful to have this as a resource, and I wish that I had known about the struggle for women’s rights in Pakistan earlier.

 “This book has removed so many myths and misconceptions around what it means to be a feminist in our country.”

The book emphasises the significance of contextualising women’s struggles within Pakistan’s unique social and political landscape.

The Breaks: An Essay – Julietta Singh

The Breaks: An Essay by Julietta Singh is a reflective exploration of personal and collective experiences that confront the complexities of identity and belonging.

Julietta delves into her life, drawing connections between her background and broader societal issues, including race, gender, and the intersections of history and memory. 

The essay artfully blends narrative and theory.

It examines how breaks or disruptions in one’s life—whether personal crises or historical moments—shape our understanding of self and community. 

Through a lyrical and poignant writing style, Julietta invites readers to consider the importance of embracing fractures and vulnerabilities as vital aspects of human experience. 

Julietta reveals the connections among the crises humanity faces.

These include climate catastrophe, capitalism, and the violent legacies of racism, patriarchy, and colonialism.

The writer thereby invites us to move through the breaks toward a tenable future.

Premee Mohamed completed an in-depth review of the book, and they explain: 

“Sometimes I feel like fear of the future is turning into a kind of ground-level ozone we’re constantly breathing in, dangerous and ubiquitous, but Singh’s book presents a way to combat that feeling by performing an intimate, unrelenting experiment in unlearning the world we’ve inherited.” 

The essay is a profound meditation on resilience, the power of storytelling, and the ongoing search for connection in a fragmented world.

(M)otherhood: On the Choices of Being a Woman – Dr Pragya Agarwal 

(M)otherhood: On the Choices of Being a Woman by Dr Pragya Agarwal is an insightful exploration of motherhood and womanhood.

It addresses the complexities and societal pressures women face regarding their reproductive and personal choices. 

Pragya blends personal anecdotes with research, examining how factors like culture, history, and feminism intersect to shape the narratives around motherhood. 

She challenges traditional views, advocating for a broader understanding of what it means to be a mother and the diverse paths women can take.

This includes childlessness and alternative family structures. 

The book emphasises the importance of agency, urging society to create spaces where women’s choices are respected and supported. 

A customer gave this book five stars on Amazon and reviewed it. They discuss: 

“I found this latest book absolutely compelling – generous, beautifully written, expertly researched and powerfully argued.

“I learnt so much about infertility and the ambivalences of reproductive justice.

“I am so grateful that this beautiful and important contribution to knowledge about motherhood, in all its political complexity, exists.”

Ultimately, Pragya’s work serves as a thoughtful reflection on the many dimensions of motherhood and the need for an inclusive dialogue around feminism and identities.

Burning My Roti – Sharan Dhaliwal

Part memoir, part guide, Burning My Roti is an essential reading for newer generations of South Asian women. 

The book includes chapters covering sexual and cultural identity, body hair, colourism and mental health.

It contains a particular focus on the suffocating beauty standards South Asian women are expected to adhere to. 

Sharan Dhaliwal speaks openly about her journey towards loving herself, offering advice, support and comfort to people who are encountering the same issues. 

Customers review this book as being insightful and thought-provoking, with a specific opinion being: 

“Finally, a Punjabi woman authors a book which speaks to a collective experience! Thank you.”

This provocative book celebrates the strides South Asian women have made whilst also providing powerful advice through personal stories by Sharan and other South Asian women from across the world.

Maid in India: Stories of Inequality and Opportunity Inside Our Homes – Tripti Lahiri

Tripti Lahiri provides a revealing look into the lives of domestic workers in India.

She explores their struggles, aspirations and the complex socio-economic dynamics that define their very existence.

Tripti highlights underrated labour by these women.

Many of them come from marginalised backgrounds, and they navigate the harsh reality of low wages, exploitative working conditions and societal stigma.

Through interviews and personal stories, the book sheds light on the challenges these workers face.

This encompasses long hours, lack of labour rights, and the emotional damage that is a direct result of work.

Additionally, Tripti examines the intersections of class, gender, and caste, all of which contribute to the systematic oppression of domestic workers.

Shuchi Gupta reviews this book on Amazon: “Tripti has captured the essence of prevalent slavery in India, which everyone sees yet ignores.

“She is a great storyteller and has done amazingly well to engage the reader and encourage them to introspect.”

This book calls for greater recognition and respect for the roles that these women play, advocating for policy changes and social awareness to improve their livelihoods and empower their voices.

If They Come For Us – Fatimah Asghar

Orphaned as a child, Fatimah Asghar grapples with the coming of age and navigating questions of sexuality and race without the guidance of her parents.

The exploration of queerness, grief, Muslim identity, partition and being a woman of colour in a white supremacist, patriarchal world makes this poetry collection an essential read.

This book has a lot of positive reviews on Amazon.

One user said: ”Heady mix of brutality, affection, passion and pain.

“Unheard voices echo behind Asghar’s intensely personal work.”

The poems bear anguish, joy, vulnerability and compassion whilst also exploring the multiple ways that violence is presented.

With both lyrical and raw language, Fatimah blends the history of marginalised people with identity, place and belonging. 

Lies Our Mothers Told Us – Nilanjana Bhowmick

This book explores the complicated relationships between mothers and daughters.

It reveals how cultural norms and societal expectations influence their interactions.

The narrative delves into the protective lies mothers tell to shield their daughters from harsh realities.

For example, one of these is depicted as: “You’ll find a good husband if you behave yourself.

“Beauty is more important than brains, and good girls don’t talk back.”

These ‘lies’ reflect a deep-rooted cultural mindset and reveal the tension between traditional values and the desire for independence and self-fulfilment.

Through personal anecdotes and broader cultural commentary, the piece invites readers to reconsider the nature of these statements and their impact on the lives of contemporary women.

Ritu shared their opinion on GoodReads: 

“Numerous facts, harsh realities, ironies & many instances of instant connections with women feeling what you feel.”

“This book brings to the fore what is not discussed in society or at home.

“Things shrugged aside, unnoticed and brushed underneath the carpet resonated through this book. 

“You would have felt or gone through similar things in your life more than once.

“If nothing else, it makes you realise you are not the only one feeling what you feel, and it is not wrong to feel what you feel!”

The article emphasises the importance of honest communication and the necessity for daughters to carve their own paths, free from inherited constraints.

Each of these groundbreaking South Asian feminist reads provides valuable insights into the struggles and triumphs of women. 

Through diverse narratives, they challenge societal norms and amplify voices that have often been silenced.

These texts highlight the transformative power of literature in shaping feminist discourse within South Asian contexts. 

By embracing these groundbreaking authors, modern women can embark on a journey of self-discovery, advocacy, and resilience, using literature as a catalyst for change in their lives and communities.