Mahila Paksh

Mahila Paksh is an Indian women's newspaper published in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, in Hindi. It covers issues and subjects ranging from atrocities committed against women to following their successes in different fields. It is published by the Shrivastava family.

The newspaper has women filing stories across India- but interestingly, includes many stories that are compiled by poor and illiterate women who are relatively disenfranchised and generally prevented from speaking out about their perceptions or situations. The stories are published with the help of editors who write them down and who train the women in reportage.

The paper's quoted mission, as expressed by Samnvy Kumar, the chief editor of the newspaper: "Our main purpose is to create awareness in the women not about the social issues but awareness for the self. They don't understand themselves and realise their potential. We want them to recognise their potential, caliber and capability. They can take their own independent decisions."

Unlike other newspapers, Mahila Paksh is "not hungry" to develop its readership. Instead the paper is interested in sustained growth through the creation of members (which it does through signing up people at a fee of two dollars and fifty cents per year). It wants to make a difference in the lives of many ordinary Indian women.

Munni Bai is one example of a victim who ended up receiving justice through her involvement with the paper, saying: "My husband works for the irrigation department. He took a loan from someone at two percent interest rate but afterwards he was asked to return the money at the rate of ten percent. I approached Mahila Paksh and gave this news. Soon after the news got published, we got rid of the problem when senior authorities intervened in the matter."

Kanta Tomar, the State Commissioner on women's issues, also has only good things to say about the paper: "Mahila Paksh is a unique newspaper of Madhya Pradesh to bring forward various problems of women. Through the initiatives of this paper, we have got lot of help to carry out various activities in the region. The paper is doing a wonderful job in this male dominated society."

Any woman who is sensitive towards the plight of women in Indian society is encouraged to become a member of the paper. The paper arranges face-to-face interactions with the staffers from time to time to educate women about its policies and procedures.

Sources

• India's First Women-centric paper. Asia News International, 2007. [1]
• Klein, Lauren D. September 30, 2007. India Paper Taps Marginalized Women as Reporters. [2]
• Khullar, Mridu and Bob Garfield. May 4, 2007. Writing for Their Rights. On the Media: National Public Radio.