Women's Feature Service

Prema's name translates as 'loved one'. But in Prema's case, her name is a misnomer. Far from being loved, at her advanced age she finds herself working endlessly for the young woman her husband brought into their home as his new 'wife'.

Hiding in the closet playing games with younger siblings till Mom gets home because of drug violence. Allowing yourself to be gang-raped so that the 'brothers' will protect you afterwards. Pretending to be lesbian to escape sexual assault.

Duan Jiacxing's eyesight is getting weaker as the years go by but even at 76, the lady continues to spend hours bent over white linen, painstakingly tying tiny knots according to a pattern. This tied linen will be dyed to produce fine 'batik'.

The shouts, cheers and impassioned speeches lasted for hours. The atmosphere was akin to a football match or a rally, only most of the attendees were women between the ages of 20 and 80. Over 3,000 people showed up for this landmark event.

Two years ago, Usha Bista thought she had reached the end of the road as she lay exhausted on the freezing slope of Mt Everest, abandoned by her guide and rapidly running out of oxygen supply.