Why can't a model have a PhD?, asks Dr Anjhula Mya Singh

Anjhula – a feminist who wears lipstick and a supermodel who recently became the Interim Chair of the International Board of Amnesty International – believes limiting or circumscribing roles of women is unfair

- Kritika Kapoor

She started out as a model at 18, and it didn’t take long for Dr Anjhula MyaSingh Bais to become a regular fixture at fashion weeks and covers of magazines, or muse to top designers. But that was only the start of a career trajectory that would then span diverse fields – academics, trauma psychology, activism – ultimately leading her to her new role today, as Interim Chair of the International Board of Amnesty International.

Having charted her path in fields both glamorous and cerebral, Anjhula is quick to question the assumption that one can’t be or do both. “Why can’t a model go on to do a PhD? Look, there’s a history of women being circumscribed to roles worldwide, due to patriarchal thinking and norms. You’re told, ‘you’re meant to do this, this what you should be, how you should be’ – and it causes a lot of psychological strife. If a model wants to do a PhD, and they can, and they get into whatever program they applied for – good for them! Sometimes, I’ll be at the American Psychological Association conference and someone will be like,‘you’re wearing lipstick, you’re not a feminist!’ Why are these things mutually exclusive?” In a chat with us, the supermodel, activist and academic talks about her journey from the fashion ramp to the Amnesty boardroom.

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