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While discussing certain recent events, a few of us wondered if there was even a single woman who has never been harassed in public.
Women are extremely vulnerable in public spaces. We are constantly scanning the environment, assessing the risks and keeping an escape plan ready. We avoid certain situations where we suspect there could be a high probability of being harassed. Some of us look at mitigating the damage, the rest are on flight or fight mode.
But most of us know that every time we step out of the house, we are putting ourselves in danger of being harassed.
While discussing certain recent events, a few of us wondered if there was even a single woman who has never been harassed in public. The only way to find out was by creating a poll, which would give a dipstick analysis of how deep seated the problem really is.
“Have you ever been sexually assaulted, harassed or made to feel vulnerable in a public place?”
Two choices were provided- No/ Yes
To add one level of hygiene, people who said they had never been harassed in public were requested to leave a comment, so the numbers could be cross verified.
At the request of men who wanted to see the results, the original poll was deleted and a new one created which had a third option- ‘male. Here for results’.
Of the 272 women who responded, 238 (86%) said they had been assaulted, sexually harassed or made to feel vulnerable in a public space at least once.
Of the female respondents in the poll, only 14% reported never having been assaulted, sexually harassed or made to feel vulnerable in a public space. However, this number may not reflect reality, because only three of the 38 respondents left a comment identifying themselves. Assuming all who voted read the instructions carefully, only 1% of the respondents have never been made to feel vulnerable in public.
In the absence of data, it would not be fair to speculate on whether (from among those who participated) the number of women who have never been harassed is 1% or 14%. But regardless of the exact percentage, it is clear than an overwhelming majority of women have been sexually harassed.
Image source: YouTube/ MS Creations Films
Natasha works in the development sector, where most of her experience has been in Education and Livelihoods. She is passionate about working towards gender equity, sustainability and positive climate action. And avid reader and occasional read more...
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What I loved was how there is so much in the movie of the SRK we have known, and also a totally new star. The gestures, the smile, the wit and the charisma are all too familiar, but you also witness a rawness, an edginess.
When a movie that got the entire nation in a twist – for the right and wrong reasons – hits the theatres, there is bound to be noise. From ‘I am going to watch it – first day first show’ to ‘Boycott the movie and make it a flop’, social media has been a furore of posts.
Let me get one thing straight here – I did not watch Pathaan to make a statement or to simply rebel as people would put it. I went to watch it for the sheer pleasure of witnessing my favourite superstar in all his glory being what he is best at being – his magnificent self. Because when it comes to screen presence, he burns it, melts it and then resurrects it as well like no other. Because when it comes to style and passion, he owns it like a boss. Because SRK is, in a way, my last connecting point to the girl that I once was. Though I have evolved into so many more things over the years, I don’t think I am ready to let go of that girl fully yet.
There is no elephant in the room really here because it’s a fact that Bollywood has a lot of cleaning up to do. Calling out on all the problematic aspects of the industry is important and in doing that, maintaining objectivity is also equally imperative. I went for Pathaan for entertainment and got more than I had hoped for. It is a clever, slick, witty, brilliantly packaged action movie that delivers what it promises to. Logic definitely goes flying out of the window at times and some scenes will make you go ‘kuch bhi’ , but the screenplay clearly reminds you that you knew all along what you were in for. The action sequences are lavish and someone like me who is not exactly a fan of this genre was also mind blown.
Recent footage of her coming out of an airport had comments preaching karma and its cruel ways, that Samantha "deserved her illness" because she filed for divorce.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu fell from being the public’s sweetheart to a villain overnight because she filed for divorce. The actress was struck with myositis post divorce, much to the joy of certain groups (read sexist) in our society.
A troll responded to Samantha’s tweet, “Women Rising!!” by adding to it “just to fall”. She replied, “Getting back up makes it all the more sweeter, my friend.”
Here’s another insensitive tweet by BuzZ Basket showing fake concern for her autoimmune disease. “Feeling sad for Samantha, she lost all her charm and glow. When everyone thought she came out of divorce strongly and her professional life was seeing heights, myositis hit her badly, making her weak again.” Samantha responded, “I pray you never have to go through months of treatment and medication like I did. And here’s some love from me to add to your glow.”
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