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Lalita Panicker

Lalita Panicker leads the opinion section at Hindustan Times. Over a 33-year career, she has specialised in gender issues, reproductive health, child rights, politics and social engineering.

Articles by Lalita Panicker

In urban planning, why women must participate

In many metros, girls and women seldom use public spaces for leisure and recreation and their lives are spent in confined spaces.

Sexual harassment is a ubiquitous problem in cities across the world (Cities Alliance, 2020), with sexual harassment having been reported both inside transport vehicles and while waiting for transport. (Representative Image)

opinion

Published on Dec 10, 2022 07:42 PM IST

ByLalita Panicker

Let them play. Break down gender myths on the field

Despite the rise of women sportspersons, it is still a male-dominated field. A majority of families still don’t consider sport as a career for a girl, but things are changing

Studies show that girls who participate in sport are more likely to experience academic success and have more faith in their own competencies and abilities. (HT Photo)

opinion

Published on Nov 27, 2022 07:39 PM IST

ByLalita Panicker

Factors that perpetuate malnutrition in women

Micronutrient malnutrition can have multiple causes, among them, gender disparity, which is exacerbated by social, economic and political factors.

Cultural factors include gender norms that result in low intake of nutritious food by women.

opinion

Updated on Nov 12, 2022 07:49 PM IST

ByLalita Panicker

Focus on women’s mental health, now

Depressive disorders are the leading cause of disability worldwide. Women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with a depressive disorder.

Just a dismal 0.08% of the health budget in India goes to mental health; very few organisations work in this sector and those that do are largely centred in urban areas. (Bloomberg)

opinion

Published on Oct 29, 2022 08:11 PM IST

ByLalita Panicker

Why India needs a fresh look at juvenile justice

It is important to understand the circumstances in which children are driven to commit crimes rather than focus on whether one or the other juvenile should be tried as an adult.

It must be kept in mind that a child committing a crime could well lack formal education, have poor cognitive abilities and emotional functioning and lack the resources to move ahead after serving time. (Representative Image)

opinion

Published on Oct 15, 2022 08:05 PM IST

ByLalita Panicker

Why a gendered response to fighting TB is essential

The government has set up schemes to help TB patients, but not enough states focus on women’s vulnerabilities. This is why women must be part of the fight to eliminate it.

Much like the pandemic, for TB, women must come to the fore to create awareness and tackle misconceptions about the disease. (Unsplash)

opinion

Published on Oct 01, 2022 03:27 PM IST

ByLalita Panicker

Mainstream the role of gender in climate policy

A formal mainstreaming of gender in climate policy and diplomacy would give greater legitimacy to India’s efforts in an arena in which it can demonstrate that it is both an innovator and a responsible global power in the South Asia

On the policy level, gender has slowly been integrated into various climate frameworks, but this has not meant representation of women at the levels required, especially at the grassroots. (Reuters)

opinion

Published on Sep 17, 2022 08:06 PM IST

ByLalita Panicker

Recalling a formidable woman’s battle for justice

While Bhanwari Devi's story is inspiring, it is disheartening that her example shows that women’s fight for justice often never seems to end.

Bhanwari’s case triggered the landmark 1997 Supreme Court Vishakha judgment, which was on the prevention of sexual harassment in the workplace. (HT Photo)

opinion

Published on Sep 03, 2022 07:14 PM IST

ByLalita Panicker

Engaging business to advance gender equity

Gender bonds should resonate with investors since they reflect their commitment to pushing gender equality forward. The bonds can be used to get new sources of financing, which can tackle gender discrimination at multiple levels

“Empowering women is pivotal to accelerate economic growth. By bringing together large corporations under BSAC, we aim at positively impacting women, their families, and their communities on their terms...I am confident of further expanding a diversified representation by the private sector in the council to promote women’s economic empowerment.” (HT PHOTO)

opinion

Updated on Aug 20, 2022 08:57 PM IST

ByLalita Panicker

The link between women’s health and clean energy

The key lies in improving women’s access and agency when it comes to clean fuel as a way of preserving their health

Much more needs to be done to shift attitudes in households and remove barriers in accessing and using clean fuels in households. (Shutterstock)

opinion

Published on Aug 06, 2022 05:55 PM IST

ByLalita Panicker

On peace and security, the powerful voices of women

Women in South Asia have been engaged in peacebuilding before the WPS agenda was formalised. But the disconnect between the norms and reality is stark

On International Women’s Day, United Nations (UN) secretary-general Antonio Guterres referred to the fact that “gender inequality is essentially a question of power, in a male-dominated world and a male-dominated culture. Power relations must be reversed.” (SHUTTERSTOCK)

opinion

Updated on Jul 23, 2022 07:46 PM IST

ByLalita Panicker

Saluting our indefatigable warriors — ASHA workers

ASHAs were unique to India and even as honouring them was imperative, their experience and potential needed to be harnessed.

In the battle against the pandemic, ASHAs won accolades, but little is known about the community resistance they faced and the stress of combining family responsibilities with work. (HT Photo)

opinion

Published on Jul 09, 2022 08:57 PM IST

ByLalita Panicker

Mobility as a key driver of greater women’s freedom

Inclusive access to mobility must consider a rights-based issue, rather than a protection-based one, so that women can become more independent.

Any woman who has travelled in a bus will attest to the fact that seats reserved for women are often occupied by men who refuse to vacate them. (Reuters/Representative Image)

opinion

Published on Jun 25, 2022 09:01 PM IST

ByLalita Panicker

Women at the helm of climate adaptation efforts

The CSE, through investigations in the tribal belts of West Bengal and Odisha, has come up with information on how women form the core of rural communities and lead the struggle for climate adaptation

The women can play a leading role in the village community. They will gain an alternative skill and livelihood, while contributing to India’s climate goals. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

opinion

Published on Jun 11, 2022 08:29 PM IST

ByLalita Panicker

Sanitation: A women-led, game-changing, initiative

NGO Shelter Associates, which has been working with the urban poor in Maharashtra to provide basic services, has came up with the concept of One Home One Toilet

Using technology and Google Earth for poverty mapping, the NGO worked with urban local bodies to provide 25,000 home toilets across slums in seven cities of Maharashtra. (HT/Representative Image)

opinion

Published on May 28, 2022 08:48 PM IST

ByLalita Panicker

Indian foreign policy needs a structured gender lens

India may not announce a formal gender inclusive foreign policy soon but given our increasing visibility on the global stage, we can certainly make a difference to the conversation.

The report suggests that India has made considerable progress in terms of applying a gender lens to foreign policymaking and also increased representation--but more structure is needed. (Twitter)

opinion

Published on May 14, 2022 06:15 PM IST

ByLalita Panicker

Changing gender attitudes in India one family at a time

Interventions such as the Sphoorthi project can create an enabling environment for families to understand the importance of educating girls and gender equity.

To ensure the sustainable transfer of learnings and attitudes from the role models and peer girls, Sphoorthi established groups and collectives of girls at the village, cluster and taluk levels to help them sustain the change process. (Deepak Sansta/Hindustan Times)

opinion

Updated on Apr 30, 2022 05:35 PM IST

ByLalita Panicker

Afspa repeal in parts of Northeast: Women will breathe easy

For the women of the Northeast, this is the first step to a normal life. They should be given all the support and succour denied to them for decades to make the most of their potential.

The conflict in the Northeast led to severe repercussions on the lives of youth and women in the form of lack of employment, absence of institutional support and absence of regular classes. (HT Photo)

opinion

Published on Apr 16, 2022 07:49 PM IST

ByLalita Panicker

Ukraine: The devastating effect of war on women

They are often termed collateral damage though they are the hardest hit in terms of mass displacement, sexual violence, and exploitation.

Activists protest the Russia-Ukraine war on the East Front of the US Capitol, Washington. (AP)

opinion

Published on Apr 02, 2022 06:45 PM IST

ByLalita Panicker

Cyberbullying and crimes plague India’s digital space

Covid has seen an increase in the use of digital spaces and, with it, cyber harassment which causes deep social and psychological distress to victims.

While the scars of online abuse are not easily visible, it is a threat to the well-being of women. (Shutterstock)

opinion

Published on Mar 19, 2022 05:59 PM IST

ByLalita Panicker

How a women’s group led the Covid battle in Bihar

Among the women's groups which threw their energies to fight Covid-19, JEEViKA from Bihar stands out. Here's why

opinion

Published on Mar 05, 2022 05:15 PM IST

ByLalita Panicker

A model to educate marginalised girls

What started as identifying children who were out of school, has now stood the NGO, Educate Girls, in good stead amid the pandemic. Here's what they did

The pandemic has affected them significantly in terms of access to education, nutrition and health care. (Saisen/Mint)

opinion

Published on Feb 19, 2022 07:20 PM IST

ByLalita Panicker

Covid has hit special needs children hard

One cohort which has been affected the most, but has not got enough attention, has been the community of children and young adults with special needs

Quality educators would have helped as would have functional modules for parents to learn from and teach their children. (ILLUSTRATION: Gajanan Nirphale)

opinion

Published on Feb 05, 2022 06:36 PM IST

ByLalita Panicker

A model to protect India’s urban poor

Covid-19: The unique strength of a coordinated effort in Bengaluru's slums has been the work put in by women workers.

It was this integration that ensured a rapid response intervention was framed to protect the most vulnerable groups and communities living in the slums of Bengaluru. (HT Photo/Representative Image)

opinion

Updated on Jan 22, 2022 04:26 PM IST

ByLalita Panicker

The limitations of the new trafficking bill

Activists have pointed out several problems which could arise if the bill is passed in its present form

The draft bill comes at the right time as there has been an increase in trafficking cases during the pandemic (Shutterstock)

opinion

Updated on Jan 08, 2022 06:47 PM IST

ByLalita Panicker

We need to create safe spaces for adolescents

The National Coalition Advocating for Adolescent Concerns has sought that investments should be made to improve educational access, quality of education, and infrastructural amenities such as toilets for girls

Laws like the one proposed can only work in conjunction with other enabling factors. A wider discussion on the legislation is vital to take into consideration, among other things, all the issues that adolescents face so that they are not discriminated against when the bill comes into force. (Sushil Kumar/HTPhoto)

opinion

Updated on Dec 25, 2021 07:28 PM IST

ByLalita Panicker

Lalita Panicker, Consulting Editor, Views picks her favourite read of 2021

Wole Soyinka’s new book, set in a country very much like his native Nigeria, mercilessly cuts through the venal politics of the land with its deadly cocktail of religion, murder, opportunism, sloth, amorality and superstition

Wole Soyinka’s first novel in 48 years shows his incomparable prose has only got better with age. (HT Team)

books

Published on Dec 25, 2021 03:13 AM IST

ByLalita Panicker

The dark side of Indian marriages: Physical abuse

Of the women respondents across 14 states and Union Territories, 30% justified being beaten by their husbands under “certain circumstances”

Very few have economic independence or societal support (not even from their parents), and they are worried about their children’s fate if they file a complaint (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

opinion

Updated on Dec 11, 2021 05:52 PM IST

ByLalita Panicker

The plight of acid attack victims in India

Many of the survivors suffer from severe mental trauma as they are shunned due to their disfigurement. Jobs are not easy to get as appearances matter to many employers. Even homes on rent are denied to survivors

Rehabilitation of the victims and providing them education and life skills are crucial to their being able to reclaim their lives (Sanjeev Verma//HT)

opinion

Updated on Nov 27, 2021 09:36 PM IST

ByLalita Panicker

The importance of grief counselling for children

The government must study best practices on the issue of grief counselling from across the world, initiate projects using available resources, and build on this in partnership with experts and civil society organisations

The surviving parent is often so preoccupied with basic issues of survival that the child’s emotional trauma goes unattended (AFP)

opinion

Updated on Nov 13, 2021 10:42 PM IST

ByLalita Panicker

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Lalita Panicker

Lalita Panicker leads the opinion section at Hindustan Times. Over a 33-year career, she has specialised in gender issues, reproductive health, child rights, politics and social engineering.

In many metros, girls and women seldom use public spaces for leisure and recreation and their lives are spent in confined spaces.

Despite the rise of women sportspersons, it is still a male-dominated field. A majority of families still don’t consider sport as a career for a girl, but things are changing

Micronutrient malnutrition can have multiple causes, among them, gender disparity, which is exacerbated by social, economic and political factors.

Depressive disorders are the leading cause of disability worldwide. Women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with a depressive disorder.

It is important to understand the circumstances in which children are driven to commit crimes rather than focus on whether one or the other juvenile should be tried as an adult.

The government has set up schemes to help TB patients, but not enough states focus on women’s vulnerabilities. This is why women must be part of the fight to eliminate it.

A formal mainstreaming of gender in climate policy and diplomacy would give greater legitimacy to India’s efforts in an arena in which it can demonstrate that it is both an innovator and a responsible global power in the South Asia

While Bhanwari Devi's story is inspiring, it is disheartening that her example shows that women’s fight for justice often never seems to end.

Gender bonds should resonate with investors since they reflect their commitment to pushing gender equality forward. The bonds can be used to get new sources of financing, which can tackle gender discrimination at multiple levels

The key lies in improving women’s access and agency when it comes to clean fuel as a way of preserving their health

Women in South Asia have been engaged in peacebuilding before the WPS agenda was formalised. But the disconnect between the norms and reality is stark

ASHAs were unique to India and even as honouring them was imperative, their experience and potential needed to be harnessed.

Inclusive access to mobility must consider a rights-based issue, rather than a protection-based one, so that women can become more independent.

The CSE, through investigations in the tribal belts of West Bengal and Odisha, has come up with information on how women form the core of rural communities and lead the struggle for climate adaptation

NGO Shelter Associates, which has been working with the urban poor in Maharashtra to provide basic services, has came up with the concept of One Home One Toilet

India may not announce a formal gender inclusive foreign policy soon but given our increasing visibility on the global stage, we can certainly make a difference to the conversation.

Interventions such as the Sphoorthi project can create an enabling environment for families to understand the importance of educating girls and gender equity.

For the women of the Northeast, this is the first step to a normal life. They should be given all the support and succour denied to them for decades to make the most of their potential.

They are often termed collateral damage though they are the hardest hit in terms of mass displacement, sexual violence, and exploitation.

Covid has seen an increase in the use of digital spaces and, with it, cyber harassment which causes deep social and psychological distress to victims.

Among the women's groups which threw their energies to fight Covid-19, JEEViKA from Bihar stands out. Here's why

What started as identifying children who were out of school, has now stood the NGO, Educate Girls, in good stead amid the pandemic. Here's what they did

One cohort which has been affected the most, but has not got enough attention, has been the community of children and young adults with special needs

Covid-19: The unique strength of a coordinated effort in Bengaluru's slums has been the work put in by women workers.

Activists have pointed out several problems which could arise if the bill is passed in its present form

The National Coalition Advocating for Adolescent Concerns has sought that investments should be made to improve educational access, quality of education, and infrastructural amenities such as toilets for girls

Wole Soyinka’s new book, set in a country very much like his native Nigeria, mercilessly cuts through the venal politics of the land with its deadly cocktail of religion, murder, opportunism, sloth, amorality and superstition

Of the women respondents across 14 states and Union Territories, 30% justified being beaten by their husbands under “certain circumstances”

Many of the survivors suffer from severe mental trauma as they are shunned due to their disfigurement. Jobs are not easy to get as appearances matter to many employers. Even homes on rent are denied to survivors

The government must study best practices on the issue of grief counselling from across the world, initiate projects using available resources, and build on this in partnership with experts and civil society organisations

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