Jalks on Jeminism : Indian Women Activists Speak for Themselves

Indian feminists have often rejected the Western feminist model with its emphasis on socio-economic and sexual independence. They have argued that Western models assume the universality of middle-class, white, Euro-American values and lump Third World women into the same homogeneous category, neglecting to take into account specificities such as class, geographical location, education, religion and age. While there is no doubt that such a thing as a universal model for feminism cannot exist, we may agree that the exercise of choice is a fundamental and, may I say, universal, human right for all, regardless of sex, ethnicity and belief. Antonia Navarro-Tejero\'s book is a valuable contribution to the body of knowledge about how different women exercise this choice in contemporary India. The interviews she has conducted with women from different walks of life refute the monolithic construct of the meek, subservient Indian woman. Dr. Navarro-Tejero shows us a diversity of life-styles and methods of coping with the demands of a modern society, which does not necessarily involve any cultural denial.