The WOMEN Who DARE to BREAK FREE
Femina|August 2023
With courage and determination, these remarkable women are redefining their lives on their own terms as they lay the foundation for a brighter, more inclusive future for all
The WOMEN Who DARE to BREAK FREE

SHRESTHA TIWARI

BREAKING FREE FROM SKIN SHAMING 

Living with psoriasis since the age of eight, Shrestha Tiwari has faced criticism and bullying with resilience; she has proved that her worth extends far beyond her skin condition was diagnosed with the skin condition psoriasis at eight. I had raised patches with silvery flakes on my skin, so I caught a lot of attention in society. The burden to look ‘perfect’ was heavy, but it was difficult to even get a salon in my hometown Raipur to take me on because of the misconceptions around psoriasis. I would often be sent away, or, if they did agree to work on me, I would bleed while my legs were waxed. It seemed as if I had no real option: I could either feel embarrassed about having hair on my legs or go through the pain.

“I know today that it is normal to have a chronic skin condition, but I was constantly made to feel like a victim of something. People passed comments about how unsightly my skin looked, and questioned whether I would ever find someone to marry. Each of those comments hurt my self-esteem and confidence. As a child, I was not equipped with the knowledge to deal with what was coming my way. As I grew up, I could not find enough resources online to help me battle this condition. I wanted to feel understood and accepted, but I always felt very alone.

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