What Does the Future Look Like for South Asian Women And Girls?

Acid attack survivors participate in a candlelit vigil protesting violence against women as they mark the second anniversary of the deadly gang rape of a student on a bus, in New Delhi, India. Chicago will host the first conference to focus on issues facing South Asian women and girls.
Acid attack survivors participate in a candlelit vigil protesting violence against women as they mark the second anniversary of the deadly gang rape of a student on a bus, in New Delhi, India. Chicago will host the first conference to focus on issues facing South Asian women and girls. Saurabh Das / AP Photo
Acid attack survivors participate in a candlelit vigil protesting violence against women as they mark the second anniversary of the deadly gang rape of a student on a bus, in New Delhi, India. Chicago will host the first conference to focus on issues facing South Asian women and girls.
Acid attack survivors participate in a candlelit vigil protesting violence against women as they mark the second anniversary of the deadly gang rape of a student on a bus, in New Delhi, India. Chicago will host the first conference to focus on issues facing South Asian women and girls. Saurabh Das / AP Photo

What Does the Future Look Like for South Asian Women And Girls?

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The 2012 gang rape and murder of a young woman in New Delhi put a spotlight on the issue of rape and violence against women in India in a way that had not been done before.

In the aftermath, India introduced tougher legislation but brutal attacks against women continue to be reported there and in other South Asian countries like Afghanistan.

This weekend Chicago will host a conference dedicated to South Asian women and girls, both here in Illinois and beyond. The Identities in Transition conference is the first to focus on South Asian womanhood and girlhood.

Shweta Singh is a professor of social work and women’s studies at Loyola University, and chairs the core committee of the Identities in Transition conference. She joins us to talk about the issues the conference hopes to tackle.