Gender violence, bodies and Dalit women: an intersectional analysis of vulnerabilities and resilience

Gender generally refers to the roles, behaviours, activities, and characteristics that society considers appropriate for men and women, while violence pertains to harm – whether psychological, physical, emotional, or economic – that can hurt, threaten, or violate a person or their dignity. However, in a hierarchical society like India, where certain social groups are already stigmatised due to their caste, the gendered aspect of violence creates a specific class of people, namely Dalit women, within this section of society who are harassed because of their intersecting identities. This paper examines the challenges faced by Dalit women, their resistance, and modes of empowerment through Sivakami’s The Grip of Change (2006) and it aims to explore the gendered nature of violence inflicted upon Dalit women because of their caste, class, and gender. Additionally, it also explores the patriarchal forces operating within the Dalit community.