As we know that India is a very populous country and the numbers of unemployment are increasing day by day. In the olden days of India, this man-made culture society made some weird rules for women; they were not allowed to work outside. Women were forced to do all types of domestic chores and raised their offspring. Now the time has changed and women have become more liberal and independent now.
As more and more Indian women have jobs that require them to
travel or keep late hours in the office, safety has become a no.1 concern of
working women in India today. A recent survey shows that 94% of Indian
women feel unsafe living or traveling alone, or staying alone in hotels in
India. Of those who’ve traveled outside India, most say they feel safe
traveling or living alone in hotels in western countries! Street sexual
harassment, molestation, and stalking are seen as a normal part of day-to-day
existence that all women are expected to put up with. And even though
most rapes are never reported in India, or of those reported most are not filed
by the police, rape still is the fastest growing crime in India today. There
has also been an alarming increase in the number of reports of rape of
women tourists in India.
Here are 11 safety tips from The 50 Million Missing
Campaign for all women living or traveling alone in India.
1. Though there is no reason one can’t live or travel
alone, the fact is that it is might be safer for single women in India to
live or travel with at least 1 or 2 other people. Often if you
have a male companion, you are usually also less likely to be sexually harassed
and/or molested. (We are not saying this is how it should be! It curbs
women’s rights to freedom of movement and is fundamentally sexist. But
it is a safety precaution that works to some degree in India.)
2. If you are traveling on assignment, or have moved
to a new town or city for work , ask your company or organization to ensure
your safety by making the arrangements for your stay through their local
contacts. Or ask them for known and reliable contacts
through whom you can make your arrangements. In the hotel, make sure your
door has a latch or chain on the INSIDE, and once you are in your room
always keep the door locked and chained. Always carry a portable
door-stop and use it at night irrespective, or use some object like a door
stopper. If it is a room on the ground level or 1st floor, make
sure the windows have grills. Do not leave your balcony door open
while sleeping at night. When ordering food etc. do not leave the door open,
and yell for the service person to walk in. Have them knock and take your
items from the door.
3. In budgeting your travel or rent expenses make
safety your no.1 priority. The lower the cost the bigger the risk
with safety. Hence it may seem like a good, cheap deal on a rented
house, apartment, hotel/guide/transportation/tour package, BUT the more obscure
it is – the bigger the risk with safety. You are better off with a known
place. Also something that other SINGLE WOMEN you personally know have
used and recommended. (Remember it is not the same for a men!)
4. Never accept food and drinks from complete
strangers (especially on buses, trains and in hotels), even if they seem
friendly or are very insistent . There have been cases where food
and drinks were laced with drugs, and the unwary travelers then robbed and/or
sexually assaulted. Visit bars and restaurants which have more customers
(that way your food is also fresher :)) and whatever you drink, insist on a
sealed bottle (check the seal carefully).
5. This is particularly for western female
tourists : Avoid all body contact with men you have just met or even if
you have known them over a few days. Do not give hugs and don’t shake
hands. Use the conventional ‘Namaste’ instead.
6. Your eye contact with strange men should be brief and
never intimate. Don’t make direct eye contact and smile
simultaneously. These can often be misinterpreted. Be casual with your
words; but be aloof and alert with your body language.
7. If you are living in low budget hotels, or are
in public areas, the market, villages etc., wear baggy clothing and try to
ensure your arms and legs are covered. This may (or may no!) help prevent
male stares and harassment!
8. Avoid all travels at night. Never get
into a cab or auto that has more than one man sitting in there.
Sit near the door and if other men get in at any point, get out immediately.
However, we have also got reports of women who’ve been attacked by lone cab
drivers. Therefore, if you are traveling in the evenings or if you are
journeying to unfamiliar places, it might be best to use public transport like buses.
Do not use unmarked ‘share’ cars or vans. Never ever hitch a ride or accept a
ride with a stranger no matter how friendly he seems. During train
journeys mindfully gauge the people who are with you in your cubicle, and if
you feel uncomfortable stay on your guard; don’t go to sleep. If you need to
find your way somewhere, ask for directions. But never follow someone who
says, “Follow me, I will show you.” Follow the directions and keep checking
with others you meet en route to see if you are on the right path. Never
agree to meet people you barely know at a house or hotel they invite you
to. If you must meet and talk, ask them to meet you in some café of your
choosing. Go and leave alone.
9. Set your boundaries with your body language.
Usually men who are looking for an opportunity for an apparently ‘careless’
brush or uninvited physical contact, will test your boundaries first, for e.g.
sitting too close. Or touching your hand. Indian women often get frightened
and flustered and are unable to speak up. While foreign women are
often concerned about seeming unfriendly, racist or snooty. But the rule of
safety is the same for women no matter where they are in the world: IF YOU
ARE UNCOMFORTABLE, IT IS NOT O.K. In crowded areas, set your
boundaries assertively. Move away or remove your hand. If they
persist, tell them loudly and firmly using very straight language,
“Do not touch me.” Never appear hesitant or apologetic. But if
the place is isolated and there aren’t too many people around, do not
try to get assertive or aggressive. Just try to get away as quickly as
possible.
10. Avoid intensely crowded places – like buses and
festivals. That is where men take the opportunity to molest women. Also, be
very careful about a direct, angry confrontation in these kinds of situations,
for mobs in India are notoriously unpredictable. Indian women
often don’t complain because the crowd begins to blame them. In a festival try
to stay on the edges of the crowds. In a bus or market place, loudly but
firmly and politely say “What are you doing?” And remember guilt works
better than anger.
11. The Golden Rule of Safety for Women where ever you
are:
Be alert to your environment and the people around
you at all times.
Listen to your gut instinct and don’t second guess it.
(It is better to be wrong and safe than wrong and sorry!)
And act on your observations and instincts
intelligently.
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