Sociology tut assignment

Sociology
Tutorial Assignment
Session: 2022-2023
Course: GEC Sociology
Semester: II
Paper: Gender Power and Violence
Submitted by-
Name: Akanksha Konwar
Course: BA(H) History
Roll No : 22/HIS/03
Q. Discuss how films like 'Darlings' and 'Lipstick Under
my Burqa' help us make sense of Gender based
violence and women's agency?
Ans: Both "Darlings" and "Lipstick Under My Burkha" are

notable films that explore the themes of gender-based
violence and women's agency. These films contribute to
our understanding of these issues by shedding light on
the experiences of women and highlighting the
challenges they face in patriarchal societies. They
provide nuanced portrayals of women's lives, offering
insights into their struggles, resilience, and capacity for
agency in the face of adversity.
In "Darlings," the film tackles gender-based violence by

delving into the lives of two women, who form an
unlikely friendship while navigating a hostile
environment. The film examines the ways in which
violence can be pervasive in society, both physically and
emotionally, affecting women's lives. By depicting the
characters' experiences, "Darlings" invites the audience
to reflect on the deep-rooted gender inequalities and
violence that women often encounter. Through this
exploration, the film helps us understand the extent and
impact of gender-based violence and its profound
effects on women's lives.
In this film, we look at the life of a Muslim lower-middle
class women named Badrunissa. How she kept
convincing herself that her abusive husband will change
and become better. She has to almost give up on her
dreams and life plans. She even lost her baby when her
husband lashed out his anger on her because he was
suspicious of her cheating on him. After this incident she
finally decides that enough is enough and takes revenge
on him. The movie also shows that her mother was also
a victim of domestic violence and abuse. There are
many factors that causes a woman in an abusive
relationship to not speak up and is stuck in this endless
cycle of love and abuse. They still have hope that things
will get better. In the movie also, at first, the husband
kept blaming his abusive behavior on Alcohol. However
later we find out that even when he was not under the
influence he beat her mercilessly that too when she was
carrying the baby.
"Lipstick Under My Burkha" also explores women's

agency in the face of societal constraints and gender-
based violence. The film tells the stories of four women
from different backgrounds, highlighting their desires,
dreams, and struggles for independence within a
conservative society. By focusing on these women's
inner lives and aspirations, the film challenges traditional
gender roles and expectations. It depicts how women
can resist and find ways to assert their agency, despite
the constraints imposed upon them.
In this film we come across lives of 4 different women
who are of different age groups. And also how women of
different age groups face gender based violence. A
Muslim girl who is in college is not allowed to go out
without wearing her burkha. She has so many
restrictions regarding how she should behave in public,
what she can wear and what not. She resorts to stealing
stuff from stores like lipstick and dresses and boots
because there is no way that her parents would buy
them for her. When she gets caught stealing by the
police, she is severely punished by her father and is not
even allowed to go back to college and her father asks
her mother to find a suitable groom for her to get
married. Another women who is in love with a man is
being engaged to another man, who is well off, against
her will by her mother. She becomes rebellious and
wants to fight for her love but then the man she is in love
with is abusive and even calls her a “slut”.
The married women secretly works as a sales person
and is actually good at her job. She is however hesitant
to accept the offer of getting a promotion because that
would mean to work full time and also she could not hide
this from her husband. Her husband has no regard for
her well being and only sees her as an object to satisfy
himself. Even when she has an infection he refuses to
use contraceptive. She is the one who has to take
contraceptive pills and get abortions which is adversely
affecting her health.
A common theme in both the films is of a widowed older
women falling in love with a younger man. There is a lot
of stigma around how a widowed women should not fall
in love again or date people younger than them. In the
movie Darlings, this love story has a happy ending
however in Lipstick Under My Burkha this is not the
case. The elderly women is being shamed in front of the
entire locality by her own family. She is even being
kicked out of the house.
This shows how gender based violence comes in
different forms like marital rape, abuse, domestic
violence etc. Gender based violence is not always
physical but also mental in the forms of public shaming,
taunts, threats etc.
Both films contribute to our understanding of gender-

based violence by portraying its varied forms and the
complexities surrounding it. They showcase the
psychological and emotional toll it takes on women, as
well as the societal factors that perpetuate such
violence. By depicting these realities, the films create
opportunities for empathy, awareness, and dialogue
about these issues. They encourage viewers to question
the existing power structures and reflect on the ways in
which women's agency can be undermined.
Furthermore, these films also highlight the strength and

resilience of women in the face of adversity. They
portray women as complex individuals with their own
desires, ambitions, and struggles. By presenting
nuanced female characters, the films challenge
stereotypes and provide a platform for women's voices
and experiences to be heard.
In conclusion, films like "Darlings" and "Lipstick Under
My Burkha" contribute to our understanding of gender-
based violence and women's agency by offering
nuanced portrayals of women's lives, struggles, and
resilience. They shed light on the pervasive nature of
gender-based violence in society and highlight the
challenges women face. Moreover, these films
emphasize the importance of women's agency,
showcasing their capacity to resist, assert themselves,
and pursue their dreams despite the constraints
imposed upon them. By exploring these themes, these
films spark important conversations and contribute to
efforts aimed at addressing gender inequalities and
violence.

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Ans: Both "Darlings" and "Lipstick Under My Burkha" are

In "Darlings," the film tackles gender-based violence by

"Lipstick Under My Burkha" also explores women's

Both films contribute to our understanding of gender-

Furthermore, these films also highlight the strength and

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