Destigmatise Divorce Like Shasvathi Siva

Siva, a strong supporter of animal and human rights, has engaged proactively in maintaining positive actions in the space. Having had experiences and peers that shaped her life, she took upheavals as opportunities to learn, grow, and impart value to the society.

Author Shasvathi Siva initiated her divorce support group to provide an environment for women to foster growth. Never known back then, those were first few steps towards her future autobiography. Her work is broadly covered by Mint, Penguin Random House, TEDx, Vogue, and Vice alongside many others.

Siva's Divorce is Normal

Since marriages are viewed as holy unions, traditional societies view divorces as something unholy, something ghastly, completely forgetting that for some woman, it may be her freedom from a constrained relationship, for some child, it may provide a fresh start without the usual noise at home, for another person, hope to learn from past choices.

Walking through an unfamiliar terrain that Indian society typically hushed on like it were a bad omen, Siva continued towards a better purpose unstoppably. Only by defying imposed definitions, by learning to care for others, by turning any anger into gold, the alchemy of healing countless other individuals who'd been facing the same was achievable.

By unlearning patriarchal conditioning, divorces can be just as liberating. They can mean peace in many practical ways. It can be life-changing when an individual is willing to build the right approach; after all, pain is wisdom in disguise if strong enough.

Siva's Divorce is Normal

The cover design of Siva’s Divorce is Normal scribbles out stigmas of fear, shame, and blame that often entails the separation of married individuals. Contrary to these negative emotions, the “Normal” highlighted in bright yellow indicates her courageous perspective that had to be worked towards, before she could guide thousands of other women to cultivate a positive change in their journeys.

Today observes 2 years since the release of Divorce is Normal. How does it feel to

pave this impactful journey which began with empowering individuals through

divorce support group and gained success as your voice reached countless readers

through the publication?

SS: It feels amazing. I wrote the book to be able to help a lot of women in

our country to feel less alone and know that hope is out there.

The book evinces your ability to view beyond what’s socially indoctrinated. What

part does your household and upbringing play in this?

SS: A big part. My parents and my maternal grandmother were extremely

supportive of my decision to not just end a marriage, but also openly speak

about it so that I can help others going through similar, or worse situations.

They instilled in me a sense of strength and a lot of courage to push against

everything that didn’t work in my favour and turn it around to my advantage

instead. I couldn’t have done anything without their support, love and

encouragement.

Author Shasvathi Siva 

With many chaotic events in regards to marriages circulating nowadays, the need to

normalise divorce becomes critical. How does your work challenge the systemic

stigmatisation of divorce in an Indian context?

SS: My work actively challenges the stigma around divorce in India by

creating safe, supportive spaces where women can share their stories openly

and honestly, without judgment. Through candid conversations and peer

support, our group helps to break the silence and isolation that many divorced

women face, making it clear that divorce is not a failure but a valid choice for

personal well-being. By normalising these experiences and encouraging open

dialogue, we aim to shift community attitudes and empower women to reclaim

their dignity and agency.

“By normalising divorce, I aim to take the fear component of marriage down by making it as normal a decision as any other that you make in life.” 

Divorce is Normal beautifully bares out your hardships and journey without holding

back. Not exclusive to married individuals, it also caters to singles who fear marriages

due to anticipation of emotional distress or legal responsibilities. Had you originally

intended for the work to be an inspiration for singles too?

SS: My book caters to everybody, not just those going through a divorce

or already divorced. It panders to family who is supporting someone going

through a divorce, friends, anybody who’s been married, and also to singles.

By normalising divorce, I aim to take the fear component of marriage down by

making it as normal a decision as any other that you make in life. Normalising

divorce makes everything a tad bit easier.

You’re one of the very few female pioneers in dairy-free cheese market, divorce

support groups, and animal welfare in the Indian demographic. How is your drive for

awareness fulfilled through these varied endeavours which testify efforts towards

social upliftment?

SS: I’m highly drawn towards social change, because I truly believe it

helps us improve as a society. So a lot of my work is towards that change, it

fulfills me and I know that making someone else’s life easier, makes me a lot

happier.

Check out Shasvathi Siva’s book Divorce is Normal; available for purchase on Flipkart.