Ma ni meriye
Dublin Core
Title
Ma ni meriye
1783.PER.FATIMA
Subject
Portraiture
Description
The primary focus of Mai Ni Meriye is the
"labor of love" commonly described as
"housework" or "domestic work," most traditionally executed by women. Historically, this work is perceived as naturally "feminine" which encourages a false biological destiny for women in which appreciation or "love"-rather than wages or money- is meant to serve as its own reward for the work.
However, this project looks at housework as more than just housework. It is the unwaged servicing of waged workers emotionally, physically, mentally, and sexually. Without this work, no other work would be possible, and it should be formally recognized.
This project consists of quotes and images from interviews with 19 women across Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, India and archival photos, capturing the everyday lives of women. Inspired by the International Wages for Housework movement, started by feminists of the 1970s, Mai Ni Meriye sought to understand housework from women at the grassroots level and humanize the subject.
The larger goal of the project is to galvanize interest in the "labor of love" from small village discussions over tea to mainstream platforms with influential voices--all in service of a new perspective on women and housework.
"labor of love" commonly described as
"housework" or "domestic work," most traditionally executed by women. Historically, this work is perceived as naturally "feminine" which encourages a false biological destiny for women in which appreciation or "love"-rather than wages or money- is meant to serve as its own reward for the work.
However, this project looks at housework as more than just housework. It is the unwaged servicing of waged workers emotionally, physically, mentally, and sexually. Without this work, no other work would be possible, and it should be formally recognized.
This project consists of quotes and images from interviews with 19 women across Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, India and archival photos, capturing the everyday lives of women. Inspired by the International Wages for Housework movement, started by feminists of the 1970s, Mai Ni Meriye sought to understand housework from women at the grassroots level and humanize the subject.
The larger goal of the project is to galvanize interest in the "labor of love" from small village discussions over tea to mainstream platforms with influential voices--all in service of a new perspective on women and housework.
Creator
Farheen Fatima
Publisher
Self Published
Contributor
Farheen Fatima
Format
Book
Collection
Citation
Farheen Fatima, “Ma ni meriye,” Photobook Cafe Photobook Collection, accessed September 30, 2025, https://www.photobookcafe-archive.co.uk/items/show/1783.