Youth in Vadodara, India, in association with Rotaract Club of Vadodara have created a platform to girls facing harassment to share their stories at NAARI-Against Sexual Harassment.
The Times of India reports:
“Vadodara is much safer compared to cities like Delhi, Mumbai or Pune, but we cannot deny the fact that even here girls really can’t walk freely on the streets and in public gathering. Miscreants chase them on bikes, honk or stare at them making girls uncomfortable. Just using ‘the safest city’ tag does not help. We have to stop street harassment,” the youngsters are making this online appeal.
“For getting real stories, we have embedded a form where the girls can share their experiences without disclosing their real identities. Since, women residing in slums don’t have any access to internet, we will be personally visiting the slum areas and collect their feedback,” says Kush Vyas, president of Rotaract Club of Vadodara, which with its 30 young members has spread over 11,000 Facebook invitations.
“Our motive behind this campaign, which will be initially for 20 days, is to spread awareness and inspire girls to speak up. Even if it changes the mindset of five per cent population, it will act as a major step towards betterment of the city and its streets,” adds Vyas.
Stories of courage have also started pouring since the time, the drive has been started. For instance, a girl has shared her experience of how she was chased by two boys, who had made indecent comments against her when she was returning home on a two-wheeler near Jail Road. After she stopped the duo and threatened to call police, the miscreants were forced to apologize.”
H/T @KDesborough
