I grew up in a very restricted household and culture and felt like I lived in a cultural prison.
These were the words of Vindu Maharaj the Author of the book titled Cultural Prison, a daughters worth.
The Local writer resides in Sydney for the 32 years and would visit Fiji whenever she could.
Maharaj says she was completely socially deprived.
Maharaj says this childhood experience has inspired her to write this book.
While launching the book the Assistant Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Veena Bhatnagar says the novel is set against the back drop of arranged marriages, cultural restrictions on women and girls and domestic violence.
Bhatnagar says women’s inequality and gender discrimination are still harsh realities in many societies including Fiji.
She says the novel tells the story of Saras, who is about to be married but nothing has prepared her for what she is about to experience.
Bhatnagar says the book was set when many Indians who migrated as indentured labourers saw Fiji as a new world.
She says this book is surfing the reality about gender inequality which is deeply rooted in our culture.
Bhatnagar says the book has attempted to break the silence in recognizing women rights.
