Karuppai Arasiyal

About the book

A feminist book examining the politics of marriage, childbirth, and bodily autonomy exposes how patriarchal systems control women's bodies, reducing them to vessels for reproduction and domesticity. It analyzes marriage as an institution designed to transfer women as property and enforce male authority, while critically examining how laws, religious doctrines, and social norms deny women reproductive autonomy—from contraception and abortion access to forced motherhood. The book reveals how the state, medical establishments, and culture collaborate to police women's sexuality and criminalize their choices, framing bodily autonomy as a privilege rather than an inherent right. Through intersectional analysis, it highlights compounded violations faced by marginalized women. It argues that true freedom requires dismantling systems treating women's bodies as public property, reclaiming the principle that women alone have the right to make decisions about their bodies, reproduction, and futures without coercion or state interference.

About the author

After completing a diploma in journalism, Anjana worked as a media professional in Sri Lanka and in the legal sector in England. Currently working in the accounting field, she is pursuing an MSc in Public Policy. In London, she is actively involved in book reviews and feminist activities.