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The Covid-19 pandemic left millions to suffer its impact in the forms of unemployment, displacement, acute food shortage, and more. It kept migrants and urban poor to remain more vulnerable to food. This study examined the impact of coronavirus on the food security of the urban poor through the lens of Aahar Yojana, one of the government-led subsidised meal programs in Odisha, India. It combined the interview data obtained from the Aahar centres with structured observations and evaluated interlinked elements of the institutional services and pandemic: Hunger satisfaction level, Food hygiene, Sanitation, Quality, and Quantity. Results emphasised integrating such initiatives with robust governmental interventions to shift focus from cash transfers and subsidies. The originality of this paper is that it revealed that the scope of formerly established meal programs could mitigate food insecurity as reflected from the practical benefits during the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The status of women in contemporary society is a vital aspect of debates concerning gender inequality, women's subordination, violence against women, and women's empowerment. The responses of women to these problems vary across different social and spatial categories. One of the significant responses is the change in the family structure that leads to the emergence of single-parent families, particularly single-mother families. Few studies in the Indian context deal with the causes of rising numbers of single-mother families. Furthermore, there are no significant studies concerning the issues single mothers face. Being single and a mother is a significant challenge for a woman in Indian society. A divorced single mother faces various constraints and challenges while leading a household after the marital disruption. Single mothers face many physical and psychological problems, including taking care of herself and children in matters of health and well-being. The present study investigates the constraints of divorced single mothers concerning their social support systems and family management strategies as they influence mental and physical health. The study is an outcome of twenty-five case studies of divorced single mothers residing in Hyderabad, India. The results are drawn using interpretive phenomenological analysis. Keywords: Single-mothers, Divorce, Constraints, Health, Introduction To understand the role and status of women in a society, the differences between men and women must be analysed. Various studies analyse the identities, positions, and functions of [...]

Parental involvement in educating children remains a crucial first step in building an informed citizen. It becomes a routine matter for children to follow the footsteps of educated parents. However, for the first-generation learners, e.g. particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs), it is an arduous task because they belong to the least developed communities in India, with poverty and illiteracy forming the base of their existence. This paper examines the extent of involvement PVTG parents have in educating their daughters and identifies ways for improvement. Findings based on this original study suggest that the parents realise involvement, but their knowledge of involvement differs from the general population and the Western context. Hence, the study proposes four types of Cs to integrate their involvement: Concern, Communication, Condition, and Cooperation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Witchcraft and witch-hunt cases are frequently reported in the news media from Assam, India. Most often, women are the victims of witch-hunts in this region. They identify a witch based on suspicion without any evidence of harm being done. Upon identification as a witch by a mibo (a ritual specialist), they are subjected to severe punishments such as physical abuse, humiliation, social boycott, and even death. In several cases, the witch-hunt victims go through severe psychological trauma from which they could never recover. There is no social support mechanism as the community disowns them. In this context, the present study inquires into the belief system of the Mising society of Assam and the role of witchcraft. It further explores the accusations causing the witch-hunt and the implications on the witch-hunt survivors from a feminist perspective. In doing so, the paper analyses the power struggle in the Mising community and its operation in stigmatising women and making them the victims of violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]