Keeping a vigil

PUNE: Private cabs are ubiquitous in metropolitan cities — they’re almost a lifeline in Indian cities in the absence of an efficient public transport system. For women, they promise deliverance and safety, and a fallback option when autos are not available. But as the nation is shamed by another rape in Delhi and an abduction attempt in Hyderabad, there are ripples of fear in the city.
All the helplines for women, cabs driven by women, apps for women and gender sensitisation programmes in educational institutions seem to have no affect in the society. As the society grapples with one more graphic sexual violence, the solution seems to be nowhere in sight.
Empower women
Banning cab services is akin to asking women to sit at home, feels Sadhak Navadeep Bharath, who works in an NGO. “We can cry ourselves hoarse over how the government should do this and that to make it safe, but it is equally important to empower women and educate them. For instance, many women don’t know that stalking is a reportable crime. When they report such instances, men too will get to know that it’s not just something that is wrong, but is also a crime, punishable by law,” he shares.
Stay Alert
“It is sad, but India isn’t a country where you can afford to slack off while travelling. However, what one guy did shouldn’t stop others from partying or working late. It’s better to remain alert while being on the go. I, for one, make small talk with the driver. It’s like a mental hack, you know. You get to know of their life and then, he’ll think twice about doing something to you. But if you’re still uncomfortable with the driver, stay on a call with a friend the entire time,” suggests Abhineeta Raghunath, a student.
Sensitise children and men
“Put in place a system where information about all cab drivers is updated. A thorough background check will curb these crimes to an extent,” feels Suzanne Patel, a theatre artiste. “Also, when a cab leaves a destination, the driver should be made to report. A call from the company’s call centre during the journey will also make things better,” she adds. But she says to make a real difference, it is important to sensitise people at the grassroot level. “I think every male should undergo a sensitisation programme and take an exam at the end of it. And this exam should be conducted every 10-15 years. Educating children at a young age — as early as 10 or 12 years — will be helpful. This will surely bring down the problem,” she says.
Graphic novel fightback
We need more plays and songs on this issue to sensitise people. While plays have been one of the oldest method, comics as a vehicle to spread awareness is the latest addition. A comic based on Priya, a rape survivour, fighting gender crime in India is an example of that. “When we have a woman fight against odds after being sexually assaulted and emerge a superhero, it will encourage women to come out and fight, rather than blame themselves,” says Navadeep.