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 travelling alone, or staying alone in hotels in India. Of those who have travelled outside India, most say they feel safe travelling 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.
Top Safety Measures for Single Women travelling or living in India
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 top 11 safety tips from The 50 Million Missing Campaign for all women living or travelling 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 forknown 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 thewindows 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.
Hi hru
ReplyDelete