Synopsis "The woman's body is the foundation on which gender inequality is built, established and legitimized, and understanding it in different contexts, settings and situations is therefore the primary objective of this book. All the essays, in different ways examine gender inequalities which are revealed in the complex interplay between society, gender and body. Subjects covered include Indian feminist movements, western views on prostitution, the notion of space in relation to female identity, a socio-historical study of a scandal and women, sexuality and marriage. This book is important because the papers in it directly address the problem of gender identity as constituted by the woman's body in relation to family, community and society in everyday life."