In India, women have traditionally been expected to play a multifaceted role, balancing family responsibilities with social and cultural obligations. They are often seen as the caregivers, nurturers, and guardians of the family, responsible for managing the household, raising children, and taking care of elderly parents. This traditional role has been perpetuated through generations, with women often being socialized to prioritize family needs over personal aspirations.

Festivals are the high points of the year, and women are the organizers.

Food culture in India is deeply gendered. While professional kitchens are dominated by male chefs, the home kitchen is nearly always the woman's domain. An Indian woman’s lifestyle revolves around the chulha (stove) in ways that are both empowering and exhausting.

The micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) sector in India is dominated by women. From selling pickles on Instagram to running export houses, women are using digital tools to bypass patriarchal family businesses. The Lijjat Papad cooperative—run entirely by women—remains a global icon of this spirit.

Ironically, the women who cook for the family are often the most malnourished.