Speaking Up For Women In Public Spaces

A list of the many blogposts written about the recent Gurgaon rape case and decision by Gurgaon administration to restrict women from working at night

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Blaming pubs, drinking, women being out late at night, clothing – authorities across different Indian states seem hell-bent on coming up with something to blame other than the fact that ineffective policing and the low conviction of alleged rapists is encouraging crime against women in India. As in the recent Gurgaon case, where police seem to thinking locking women up will solve the problem.

I am compiling here a list of the many posts that bloggers have written expressing their disgust with the way those responsible for city safety are reacting. Please send us more links if you come across any.

While there are also questions being raised on whether “outrage” over social media is “enough” – it can certainly be a part of what we do. Social media is an important part of the media today, and speaking up is one step towards telling the authorities in question that we are not happy – that restricting women’s movements is not the solution.

We would also like to add info about any protest events in Gurgaon and the NCR region, so if any of you are organizing/participating in such events, please let us know about those too in the comments, and we will include them here.

WRITING/BLOGS

An open letter to Haryana authorities (Paroma Ray)

Are Gurgaon roads reserved for men?  (Indian Homemaker)

Score for Patriarchy (Shweta GK)

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Women aren’t people you see! (Sangitha)

I have the right to be not raped (Anou)

Rape victims and trial by the media (Rohit Mishra)

Growing up a girl in Delhi (Meeta Sengupta)

PC Meena, please resign! (Vidyut)

The great Indian cop defense (Sandip Roy, Firstpost)

No country for women (Sine Qua Non)

The blame game (Rinzu Rajan)

The ‘real’ Gurgaon and the ugly one (Kalyani Menon-Sen)

A letter from men (Madhur Chadha)

PROTESTS/EVENTS

Wednesday, 14th March, 2o12: Protestors at Sahara Mall against the rape and police inaction (protest pics here: tipped by Makepeace Sitlhou); There is also a report on this protest, Silence supports Silence by Ranjani Raghunathan at I stand for safe Delhi.

Thursday, 15th March, 2012: A protest is being organized outside the Sec 29 Police Station at 7 pm by Let’s Walk Gurgaon (Will add more event info/pics if available post event).

Gurgaon Girlcott is another group involved with similar protest activity and is looking for help from Gurgaon folks to make fliers, distribute and spread the word.

Sunday, 18th March, 2012: Protest at India Gate (This event took place and here are some pictures: organizers say they plan to keep the pressure up on the administration)

A petition you can sign and circulate, with guidelines for Gurgaon police by Vidyut

As a result of all the activity, a helpline for women in Gurgaon has now started, and police have (at least for now) taken back their anti-women stance.

The video of a protest by women’s orgs and individuals in Kolkata (similiar rape and victim blaming has been on there too)

A photography contest on safe spaces for women

 

Pic credit: Garry Knight (Image of a protestor at Slutwalk London, 2011; used under a Creative Commons license)

(Please note, this post will keep changing since more information is being added on from time to time).

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About the Author

Aparna Vedapuri Singh

Founder & Chief Editor of Women's Web, Aparna believes in the power of ideas and conversations to create change. She has been writing since she was ten. In another life, she used to be read more...

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