Friday 20 May 2011

Safe Public Transport System Makes Cities More Accessible for Women

Safe Public Transport System Makes Cities More Accessible for Women : "In Delhi nothing is safe... not an auto, bus, not even the metro!"
These were opinions voiced by young, professional women in Delhi last year during a discussion organised by JAGORI, a women's training, documentation and resource centre in the city. Of course, the recent announcement by Delhi Metro - that one coach on all its trains will be reserved for women has been greeted with obvious relief by women commuters.

Thursday 19 May 2011

Is Delhi Safe for Women?

Is Delhi Safe for Women? No it is not. But then it never was. I have lived all my life in Mumbai. The image of Delhi was always that of a city extremely unsafe for women. I grew up hearing that. As a Mumbaikar, I always had this bias against Delhi and particularly the men in Delhi. Could not bring myself to take up a job in Delhi or get married to a guy from Delhi. Simply because of its negative reputation as far as safety is concerned.....

Wednesday 11 May 2011

Spreading the Message

Donald Graham, Intern and writer at the Centre for Social Research
Drivers in Delhi stopping to fill up their tanks yesterday were asked to ‘Stand up for Safe Delhi’ as part of a major new campaign organised by CSR.
Flyer's and stickers were distributed at 2 busy South Delhi petrol stations by volunteers as part of the new campaign aimed at changing attitudes towards violence against women in the capital. Stopping and talking to a large number of drivers, passer-byes and auto-wallahs, volunteers, with owner’s permission, stuck eye-catching stickers onto cars and autos.
The campaign represents a new movement in Delhi, as volunteers and concerned citizens are brought together online to make a stand for safety in the city. The group has already attracted a large number of supporters through social networking sites and hopes to engage even more people in the future.
Working to help make Delhi a safer place for women, the group was established after shocking reports of violence against women became an daily feature of life in Delhi. They have called for more people to stop standing by and start helping out when they see a women being harassed or harmed.
For more information and to get involved with the group check out the Facebook group here I Stand For Safe Delhi and the website makedelhisafe.blogspot.com

Tuesday 10 May 2011

2nd Successful Flash Mob on Delhi Metro

Donald Graham, Intern and writer at the Centre for Social Research
As Delhi commuters rushed home on Friday, eager to start their weekends, many were faced with what will hopefully be an increasingly common sight on the Metro: Lines of yellow t shirts, lines of people making a stand for respect.

On Friday the 6th of May Delhi Metro saw the 2nd ‘flash mob’ organised by ‘Mend the Gap’, a group of volunteers brought together to fight harassment on the Metro and promote gender equality in public spaces.
The movement was started by a small group of determined individuals who, after being stared at and harassed and seeing their friends being molested, decided that it was time for people to learn to respect their fellow passengers, share spaces and not just ‘mind the gap’ but ‘mend the gap’.

This was the 2nd in what will hopefully be a long series of ‘flash mobs’ to bring the problem to wider attention and push for change. Over 40 agents donned yellow t shirts with colourful slogans such as ‘Real Men Respect Women’ and ‘Share Don’t Stare’ before lining up for thousands of passengers to see at Rajiv Chowk, Yamuna Bank and other Blue Line stations. Many passengers asked questions, took photos on their camera phones and expressed support for the initiative.
The non-violent protest brings the issue of public safety and women’s spaces to the attention of thousands of commuters. With more and more women living independent lives and working away from home, many face uncomfortable journeys around the city as they commute. Simply getting home after work should not be an added trial at the end of a long day. Men should be able to share public spaces with women without subjecting them to stares, groping, harassment and assault.
As these volunteers continue to work for a safer, more comfortable Metro for everyone, we must all also work to ensure that Delhi is a safe city where everyone can work, travel, play and live their lives without fear.

To find out more about the protest, check out these blog posts at Being Abhi and Bell Bajao.
Also be sure to ‘Like’ Mend the Gap on Facebook so you can find out where and when the next flash mob will be. Together, with more people getting involved, we can all help make the Delhi Metro safer for everyone.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/people

Monday 9 May 2011

Roundabouts in Delhi: A safer Delhi

Roundabouts in Delhi: A safer Delhi: "The other evening I was waiting on the metro platform at Central Secretariat on the women only section of the platform. It was around 9.30pm so there were only a few other women on the platform and a gradually increasing crowd of men sandwiched up together on the other side of the barrier. As the crowd of men increased, a few of the men nearest to the barrier defiantly walked round to the women’s section. Whistling and shuffling their feet as they did so, pretending they’d accidentally strayed onto the giant pink platform markings, they were mainly emboldened by the fact that the number of women was few and they were mostly younger women. As they edged their way across I could see them casting sideways glances at me and the other women stood around me. It might have seemed harmless enough but it made my blood start to boil. ..."

Friday 6 May 2011

Sexual Harassment: Do Women Really Ask for It?

Came across this write up from Komal , on makeupandbeauty.com , many times when our team discusses sexual harassment at public spaces , One does here a few mummers in the crowd going "Well they asked for it !!, She was wearing a miniskirt, She was smoking, She was Drinking, She was out alone late at night !!"

Read more .... Sexual Harassment: Do Women Really Ask for It?

Thursday 5 May 2011

@Ashmita: Can Delhi Be Ever Safe for Women...

The periodic incidents of crime against women are brought to light (thanks to the hounding media!) and then goes into oblivion as our content thirsty journalism fends another 'BREAKING NEWS' to rise its TRP. But where do we Delhi women stand ?...We are left as unsafe and as unsecured as we were from decades (if we may say)

Being the capital city of India and the city with the maximum security systems, why can't women in Delhi go out on the streets with pride and dignity. Why do we always have to be scared of the 'unseen' danger stalking us? Read more ......

Is Delhi safe for women ??

Is Delhi safe for women is a question doing the rounds these day. News channels, newspapers, social networking sites, drawing room conversations. It's all over.

I am from Delhi, I am a woman and I think Delhi is as safe for women as any other place in India or around the world. Is there any one place in the world where you can say a woman is safe? I think not! Read more ......

Wednesday 4 May 2011

Will chilli sprays make delhi safe ?

In reference to an article which appeared in HT , Delhi police has taken up an initiative of how to make chilli spray at home. They are distributing pamphlets and empty spray bottles across the city. Will this really make the city safe ?? Will offenders not react with harsher methods ? Throwing acid back ? Are the comments by the Deputy commissioner of police Chhaya Sharma , "Increasing Police presence did not help "portraying a rather helpless picture of the Police ??

What do you think about it ?
Do you Agree ?
Will we speak our mind ?
Or stay silent ?
Thats what most Delhieits do , when they see violence against women , they keep quite !!
Shy Away !!
Stay Blind to it !!

Tuesday 3 May 2011

What’s wrong with Delhi men…?

Ask any woman ! Go on… take the challenge. Regardless of age, shape,size , temperament or any other factor, Delhi men unabashedly, lewdly ogle women . Any woman. The visual assault begins at the airport itself with lecherous loaders giving every female passenger the prolonged once –over. Up down ,up down…stop at the breasts, and go on leering. Bags on the console can keep spinning, but that does not bother these awful chaps. In any case, for all its cosmetic merits ( barring the spectacularly hideous carpet), the fancy terminal 3 is a nightmare for weary travelers who are forced to trudge a couple of kilometers before they get to their gates or the parking lot. If the traveler happens to be a single woman, chances are she’ll trigger off a familiar response - men will instinctively grab their crotches.It is a reflex action. If the crotch- grabbing does not grab the marked female’s attention, they’ll sidle up to her and ask , “Taxi? Hotel?” Since there is never a cop or security guard in sight, the female under scrutiny will be forced to handle the situation any which way she can. Ignoring these men is a bit too subtle. Challenging them involves a prolonged exchange of angry words, besides attracting some more men who ‘join the fun’. So, the woman is forced to quicken her pace , look straight ahead and march on, hoping it ends there. Once she reaches her car, it’s the driver’s turn to stare shamelessly through the well positioned rear view mirror. His job is to ask, “Water? Cold towel? Newspaper?” if it’s a hotel pick up. In Delhi, they take the word ‘pick up’ very literally! If you indicate your total unwillingness to engage in any form of conversation,the driver starts humming old , romantic Bollywood songs and smiling to himself. So much for interaction with strangers on arrival in the Capital.

Once you get to your meeting, the organizers behave in an equally strange way, unless you know them well. The first assumption is that Mumbai women are ‘bold’ ( yes, of course we are bold, but not in the way implied). This so-called boldness means they’ll invite you to join a room full of the most dead boring, idiotically pompous and foolishly opinionated fellows who are busy name dropping in the most childish way. If you look obviously unimpressed, they assume your mind is on shopping or partying. They turn to you and ask in ‘jovial’ tone, “So….. how’s Mumbai?” It’s such an absurd ,time-pass question. As if Mumbai is an individual and one can provide a health report (“Not doing too well…. kuch sardi-bukhaar problem…change of weather…. vaisey, theek thaak…”). Everybody converses mainly in Hindi, and the few women present stick to ‘safe’ topics – ‘Kya haal hai?’ Nobody waits for an answer. They are far too busy looking over your shoulder to spot some big shot mantri walking in with an entourage. If a bonafide VVIP does arrive, all hell breaks loose and protocol is promptly forgotten as the scramble to get ‘face time’ with the person begins in earnest. If that person is Sheila Dixit or one of the Gandhis, the crowd goes orgasmic. Full blown chamchagiri takes over…. and that’s your cue to beat it!

This appeared in Bombay Times....

My life, experience & understanding by Amrita Anand

Came across this blog , says alot about the importance of making the city Delhi safe !!

my life, experience & understanding by Amrita Anand