A woman can’t walk alone, there is a time limit to that, women can’t breastfeed in public because there are morons who think its wrong to feed a baby, they can’t take stroll at night or event walk in a crowd. These are simple things that we can’t take granted.

In the view of recent event that took place in a mall were a celebrity was molested by two men, the response of the majority community reflects that there has been no much change to the conservative patriarchal conscience. The girl came out with the news through her Instagram post and sadly it had mixed response. A few among them were,

“Why was she responding too late after the incident through social media?”,

“She was enjoying it then and later complained to gain popularity”,

“She did it for getting role, why is this now a problem”,

“Celebrities dress up to seek attention so they deserve it”

And this list way too long and disgusting to read on. We can find the very same pervert minds in these comment section just like the ones who did the wrong doing to her.

She has clearly conveyed through her post that she was utterly shocked and couldn’t respond to them immediately and she devastated because she couldn’t. Why do you think a lot of women come out with their experience when one shows the courage to do so?

There are huge trauma and shocks someone goes through when something like this happens to them. It requires so much mental support and assurance to come out of it and express what just happened. It’s not right to judge someone in such a situation, you never know, it can be anyone, your mother, sister, wife, friend or even you may have to experience it. Who knows, in such a world we live in.

Abina, an online reporter says “the issue has become a cliche, people always respond in the same way. They always consider the way of dressing to be the consent were a one-year-old to someone wearing a parda gets molested.”

“Spreading awareness about how men should treat women is more important than women empowerment because, basically its men who should empower their sisters, mothers, wives and daughters” says Advaith, a content writer.

Amrutha, a teacher says “No women are safe here and its proven repeatedly. Whether it’s a crowded place or an isolated one, or its day or night, no matter the place or time we are not safe”.

“She may have responded late because of her celebrity status, but the problem was real and the complaint standing so culprits are caught, but this case will also be forgotten like any other after a few days” says Surjith.

“Destigmatising assaults on a rampant note is what should be done. Blaming men would only boomerang to “Not All Men”.  She heart wrenchingly pens down how women adjusts her scarfs and other accessories to be un-revealing to the gaze. The actress accepting the apology of someone who has harrassed her is the utmost potrayal of everyday women. Victim blaming has been India’s cup of tea over the years” says Fijula, a student.

Women and girls experience and fear different forms of sexual violence in public spaces, from unwelcome sexual remarks and gestures, to rape and femicide. It happens on streets, in and around public transportation, schools and workplaces. We need to create awareness, mobilize the police to use effective methods, including CCTV systems and thorough investigation, to pursue criminals. Enact stronger legislation by recognizing snatching as a non-bailable crime, with severe punishment, to deter criminals. Evolve a more gendered approach to city planning, which balances development with safety. Public spaces — roads, pavements and public transportation — must be safe for all those who use them.

And to the women who have to face such a situation, you are not at fault, you did not cause the abuse to occur and you are not responsible for the violent behavior of someone else. Reach out for support and counselling. You are not alone.

The post Caught on Cam: Why are we never safe?! appeared first on FWD Life | The Premium Lifestyle Magazine |.

In an Exclusive Survey conducted by FWD life across three major Indian Cities – Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and in three cities in Kerala – Thiruvanathapuram, Kochi and Calicut, about the safety of the women while travelling alone at night. The results are both revealing and surprising!

The poll was conducted among students and professional between the age of 22 and 45. While 50% of them were people who have spend some time in major cities in India, the other 50% have stayed only in one of the location.

30% of the women polled in Delhi thought it be ok walk alone while the over whelming 70 thought it insane to walk or even in a group in Delhi after 6 p.m. Also a over whelming 72 % sees Delhi as a tough city for single women.

73% of the women surveyed in Mumbai feel safe walking alone after dusk but most of them admit to have faced some kind of harassment. And 40% thinks it’s a tough city for single women.

Surprisingly only 53 % of the women surveyed in Bangalore feel safe to walk around alone after dusk but an over whelming 78 % thinks it’s a good city for single women.

Kerala All together about 80 % of the women surveyed feel it’s not safe to travel alone after dusk. 60% of the women thinks it’s a tough place for single women.

Prema Sankar and her friend stepped out of an uptown night club in Delhi “ We decided to take a cycle rickshaw back home. A few minutes later we observed a SUV following us. Keeping a distance from the rickshaw, it made no attempts to overtake and drive off. The rickshaw driver asked us to call up someone at the destination. Since the house was very close to the destination we reached fast and on seeing us stop the car drove off”

Mumbai

Vasundhara Karun takes the suburban rail regularly from her home. She claims that “ Mumbai is certainly more women friendly than most other Indian cities. It’s not like I haven’t faced some kind of harassment in Mumbai, but then never felt threatened here. There are always people travelling around and the trains have secure women compartments. Once when a drunken man tried to force his way in, the response time from other men passengers to remove from the scene was commendable.

Bangalore

Lakshmi Nair born and brought in Bangalore talks about an interesting incident. “Church Street is where we hang out regularly on weekends. Walking alone at the most brings a few catcalls or whistles. It’s a different case when you are wearing a short skirt or a revealing top. It’s also weird while smoking outside or buying liquor from a store.”

Mrs. Preeti Sreenivasan (Faculty -St.Teresas College, Ernakulum)

I would definitely not dare to step out of my home after 6pm.Its not because I fear what the people are going to tag me if I do so but I’d rather want to be on the safer side. The city may be developed but it’s not yet seeped into the minds of the people. It’s when the young men in the society start acting like the moral police and realise and respect a women’s opinion, her ideas and her liberty on what to wear, when to come and how to live her life like men that we can claim we are developed.

Ms. Gayathri:

I have no special opinion about this but just one thought that it all depends on the area of residing and the attitude that one carries. One should be bold enough in challenging situations. It’s high time to break these stereotypes. But one should definitely not deny their ethics.

Ms. Viditha Madhu Balakrishnan:

Compared to foreign countries Kerala is much backward. Cochin is developed but only at the peripheral level. I’d go out after 6pm if and only I’m accompanied by someone. So the need of the hour is that both men and women are made aware.

Mrs.Jyotsana Radhakrishnan (Playback singer)  

It’s very sad that we claim to have developed but still the attitude towards women in the society remains bad.Double standards prevail when it comes to men and women way of life. It’s when we start giving mutual respect to each other that we can claim to be developed.

Time to Cast your Vote:

The post How safe are Women in Our Cities appeared first on FWD Life | The Premium Lifestyle Magazine |.