I was walking down the street and a man on a bike came and slapped my chest, I was only 12 years old than this was the first sexual assault I faced in my life said a lady in her thirties. I came home crying and told my mother about it. She told me, "I was dreading the day you would face this…". A horrifying reality every mother is fearful off.
Every single day single women, young girls, mothers and women from all walks of life are being eve teased , assaulted, molested, and violated & even raped . The streets, public transport, public spaces in particular have become the territory of the hunters. While the ones already hunted down weep in silence or in disdain, the rest fight their way to a basic life with dignity.
There is an unspoken war on the streets m while in Public Transportation . Young school and college going girls use bags , books , water bottles to shield themselves, other women wear full-covered attire to protect their bodies, and others avoid the mere glance of the roving gaze. There is no fear of being caught leave aside fear of being punished.
The fatal Nirbhaya gang-rape while commuting in Public Transport saw an outpouring on the streets of Delhi – protests decrying the fragile status of women in India. Candle light marches, editorials examining the patriarchal and sexist traditions of our country, an awakening on social media – even conversations on streets revolve around the night they cannot forget: the night that took Nirbhaya
We don't need to look at statistics to confront the horrid truth. News stories of women from all over India being raped, beaten, killed are flashed across us day after day – and we all are aware of it. The data is speaking for itself. It is confirming that everyday women are dealing with harassment from mild to extreme forms in our fragile public transport system . How long will this menace go on for? What are we supposed to do about it?
49% of India’s registered voters are women, and the Power of 49 together needs to demand a Safer , A tougher India in Public Transport , yet an India that is sensitive to women. Women’s issues need to be pushed in every lobby until the insensitive people at the helm of affairs have no choice but to yield and take a hold on the crisis that looms across every street and every corner of India today.
With limited options in our hands, and with time fast flying us by, the onus is on us to wake up and do whatever it takes. Raahat- The Safe Community Foundation committed for Safety of Women , is all set to launch RAWA – Raahat Against Women Atrocities in all states to demand a safe & secure public transport where in there is always Fear of being Caught & Fear of being Punished in any crime committed against our women , our Daughters , Sisters & mothers , our NARISHAKTI . Raahat , plans to build a momentum by taking all women weather at home , at work , at school , in college , working in films , be a Parliamentarian all the Narishakti along to create a Safe Environment for our Nari Shakti.
This is the time we own up to ourselves, we stand tough , we stand together . We stand by each other. Tall and proud. Brave and unfazed. This is the time we own up to India. No more Harassment, No More Molestation , Eve Teasing & Rapes . Indian women demands respect at Home , at Work , in Movies , In Parliament every where We want what we deserve - for us and for our daughters, our sisters , our mothers & above all our NARISHAKTI . – a safer India for Indian Women.