Earlier today I was part of an event on making online space safer for women. I spoke to women friends & asked them their views. And then it occurred to me that all suggestions were on what women can do. None on how we can get people to ensure they don’t make women feel insecure.
I mean what is being asked for online is simply what one expects in the physical space. In real life do you verbally assault women? Do you make sexual remarks? Do you make sexual threats? Why should the online space be different from the offline space?
Why should social media sites like Twitter and cops look the other? In India people think safety & privacy are glamorous topics unlike, let’s say, basic food and water seen as core issues. But are they really that different or lesser important?
An unsafe environment prevents everything for women. It discourages them from stepping out of home, looking for work, accepting a late night assignment. Public spaces include the digital space too. Women are penalised for asserting their identities, for speaking up.
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