Effect of ongoing strikes on women’s safety: A girl’s POV

When someone recently asked what’s been going on in my life, I could only say, “Just dealing with the protests.” The fact that they were unaware of the real issues made me question the impact our protest is actually having and what the media is even covering. I found myself explaining our demands, pointing out the irony that we’re fighting for basic safety in our own institution. However the responses I got were often: “Try meditating,” “Take some time off,” or the ever-popular, “Just learn some self-defense.”

I want to share, for people who have still not understood what a girl is feeling during this time – A GIRL’S POV – what it feels like to be a girl in this situation:

My 18-year-old self, who had just moved to a new city and started college, wouldn’t have agreed with what my 22-year-old self now accepts. Today, I agree with the 9:30 p.m. curfew imposed at our hostel. I agree with always being aware of my surroundings and keeping track of people’s behavior. I agree with avoiding walking alone at night and sticking to group settings. I agree with choosing a crowded café over a hidden spot to hang out. I agree with checking public restrooms for cameras. I even agree with taking offense at sexist jokes that once seemed harmless.Now, when I travel, I carry a pepper spray and a kn*fe – on a government AC seater bus, in broad daylight, for a five-hour journey to my city. These items are in the side pocket of my bag, taking up the space meant for my water bottle, just so I can access them quickly if needed. I double-check my ticket to ensure I’m not sharing a seat with a male passenger.

This shift in my behavior has even led me to post stories like this on my page, something I never thought I’d do. It’s not just about learning self-defense; it’s about questioning why I would ever need to fight for my life in my own workplace to begin with.

I just hope that the outcome of this comes out to be positive and that people start taking these matters seriously, so that in the future, another 18-year-old girl wouldn’t have to pen down her afterthoughts like this again when she turns 22.(All pictures used are clicked by me. The text has been written by me on Canva)