Kaur Life: Inspiring Lioness Queens to Rule the World
Guest blogged by Harleen Kaur Sangat: a concept that has been emphasized to me, and thus I have reiterated to others, for as long as I can remember. My mom telling me to be aware of the friends I was keeping at school, my camp counselors telling me that I should strive for sadh sangat, or people who...
Hair double standards?
An unexpected video posted on the Jezebel.com has gone viral in the last 24 hours. The moving clip highlights the  story of 23-year-old Harnaam Kaur from Slough, UK who has a full beard. Harnaam’s polycystic ovary syndrome led to her facial and body hair growth as a pre-teen, resulting in...
Focusing the Lens on Sikh Women
There are only a few days left in the annual SikhNet Youth Online Film Festival.  This year’s theme, “onKaur: Focusing the Lens on Women”, brings together a collection of 18 films by and about Sikh women.  The films look at the idea of “Kaur”, what that means and how...
Why We Are Sikh Feminists
Guest blogged by Herpreet Kaur Grewal Editorial note: the author talked to her colleagues on the Sikh Feminist Research Institute’s editorial board about why they are feminists. This blog post collects their views to mark the Sikh festival of Vaisakhi, which took place this weekend. Image...
Sikh Women: A Look Back in Time
Co-blogged by Sundari and The Sikh Love Stories Project Each year, International Women’s Day is celebrated to honor women’s economic, political and social achievements. As individuals around the world celebrate this day – in both big ways and small – I am left to consider...
Gender Equality in the Sikh Faith
In a recent piece on BBC Radio 4, titled Beyond Belief – Women in Sikhism, host Ernie Rea starts off with this statement, “The Sikh religion is the world’s fifth largest… the men are often easily recognized – they wear turbans and leave their hair uncut.  The fundamental...
Kaur Revolution: Why I changed my last name from Singh to Kaur
Guest blogged by Nina Chanpreet Kaur In September, I attended a Sikh awareness training at the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. Sitting in the audience, I watched and listened as the presenter referred to Sikh women in passing and brought the Sikh male experience and turban to the center of...
Sikh Women – from Vancouver to Yuba City
This past weekend, I attended the second annual Sikh Feminist Conference at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.  A friend posted a concise review of the conference here which I would encourage you to read.  I’ll just reiterate two points made – the first being the discussion...
Sikh Feminists Research Institute Conference 2012
“While Sikh American women do a lions-share of organizing and executing the business of the Sikh community, their experiences of faith, family, and community are under-represented in art, literature, and scholarship. In fact, the experience and image of a Sikh woman is obsolete and – in most...
Sikh Women’s Love Anthology: Submission Call
We believe at the heart of each Sikh American woman, there are multiple love stories that inhabit the mind, body, and soul. Artist: Rupy Cheema Tut This one is for you dear Kaurs! The first ever Sikh Women’s Love Anthology is being created and your voices are needed.  This groundbreaking anthology...
Raising Kaurs
Source: Miss Representation (click to enlarge) Today is International Women’s Day and while our attention often (and rightfully) focuses on ways to improve the lives of women and children living across the globe, it should also be a time to reflect on ways we can positively influence the lives...
Sikh Identity: Separate but Equal?
Guest blogged by Birpal Kaur Over this past weekend there was an article published in the Los Angeles Times of the  experiences of Sikh women and maintaining kesh.  This article addresses the journey and relationship with kesh, looking at societal pressures as well as a personal journey, and in this...
Sikh Women: Making History
Each year, SikhNet hosts an online youth film festival – to cultivate interest from Sikh filmmakers from around the globe.  The online film festival is an excellent way for individuals to dialogue about issues affecting us personally and as a community.  One of the films, titled Khalsa Has No...
On Being a Sikh Woman
Guest blogged by Neesha Meminger Admin note: In an effort to further cultivate the conversation on Faith and Feminism within the Sikh community, panelists from the Open Heart/Closed Fist event in NYC will share their thoughts with us.  To learn more about the panel, please read Sikh Women Speak...
Sada Safar
Guest blogged by Adi Shakti Kaur For as long as I can remember, I can envision the imprints of patriarchy within the Guruduaras (Sikh spaces of worship). The Guru, was more than sacred scriptures; more than a living embodiment of the ‘word’; more than a Guru, who took us from darkness to light; but...
The Roar of a Lioness: Sikh Women in the Diaspora
Our mothers and grandmothers would be proud.  If we take a moment to pause, we’ll see the amazing mobilization that is occurring in the diaspora around Sikh women’s issues, particularly by youth.  I’m not quite sure if it is a legit rise in websites or events or whether we are simply...
Is there political utility in Sikh The[a]logy?
Guest blogged by Tarnjit Kaur This essay was written as an introduction to ‘Sikhism and Gender Equality: Where do you See Yourself?,’ an event to be held in Ontario Saturday, April 2nd at 6 pm. All are welcome to attend. Motivated by the empowering message of Sikh theology, Sikhi, Sikh history...
International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8th each year and is a major day of global celebration for the economic, political and social achievements of women.  We have previously posted about well known examples of  women in our history who have made huge contributions to Sikhi.  Perhaps...
Why Sikhs Need More Female Granthis
Many eons ago, my friend Mewa Singh wrote: Most Sikh organizations’ backbone tend to be its Kaurs.[link] [As a side note, kaptaan, where did you go?]  I definitely second that thought.  A common lament that I often hear from some Sikh men is that somehow Sikh women are somehow lacking in terms of...
Gurmat Gian Group: An Interview With One Of Its Members
Last week, I posted on the Gurmat Gian Group’s performance of classical keertan. This all Sikh women’s group, expect for a tabla player, is based in Ludhiana, Punjab. This week, I wanted to share a brief interview with one of its members, Keerat Kaur. 1.  How did you come to join the Gurmat Gian...