The students of RD National College in Bandra, Mumbai recently a radical campaign launched on 3 September, 2011 within city limits to help create awareness and combat this issue. The campaign, ‘Eve Teasing Ki Ma Behen’ is the brainchild of five final year BMM students. “The idea is to empower women to not feel embarrassed or humiliated,” says Srusti Jain (20). “We wanted to come up with ways to make women feel confident and able to hit back if they find themselves in a spot.”
Eve-teasing is a euphemism for what every woman in India experiences in public spaces. Be it the milder versions of sexual aggression – a sly look, or the slight brush to harsher perversions designed to make women uncomfortable and embarrassed.

The students pasted posters behind the seats reserved for women with a whistle informing passengers to blow in order to call attention to any misbehaviour. Promoting the use of everyday items like stilettos and perfumes as mediums of self defence, the campaign covers all the bases. “It is important for women to be more vigilant against the crimes that take place, not only against them personally, but to bring attention to the plight of all women,” says team member Janhavi Gursahani (20).

An interesting idea is the ‘Blackberry Safety Net’, wherein Blackberry groups were created, each with its unique barcode. These barcodes were then printed and circulated through posters across major suburbs like Andheri, Bandra and Dadar. “Constantly connected, we created a safety net. All it takes is one message when travelling alone or in a situation, for a broad circle of women to come forward and help. You can call it a digital SOS,” explains Srusti.

Another way that they are promoting self empowerment is through music, by having a music hour with a play list of feminist songs, especially on Ladies Night in bars and restaurants like IBAR, Jugheads, along with coasters with simple slogans. “In other words, don’t be afraid to shout out and ask for help or rather help yourself if anyone teases in bars or pubs,” says Janhavi. The campaign also makes liberal use of music as a medium to convey the message, asking women to convey their emotions through songs. ‘Eve-Teasing Ki Ma Behen’ held a kick-boxing self defence workshop where women of all ages learned some very important techniques of self defence.

With viral videos and a strong online presence on networking sites like Facebook, the campaign has managed to garner a great deal of local media presence. When asked about the response to their campaign, the team seemed quite happy. “Our message of self empowerment and standing up for yourself got through. That’s exactly what our aim was,” says Srusti.   

‘Chappal Marungi’
Wilson BMM’s ‘Chappal Marungi’ campaign was initiated on 21 August, 2011 by a team of five final year students. “Every woman in Mumbai experiences eve teasing, and constantly talking about it is not helping at all. We ask women to stand up against it, direct action if you will, by turning the tables and publicly embarrassing the offending person,” says Alisha Sharma.

Violent reactions though, is not what is being propagated. “That’s not what we are trying to say. ‘Chappal Maarungi’ doesn’t really encourage you to actually hit men. The campaign is all about raising your voice. The sandal is just symbolic,” the 20-year-old advertising student clarifies.

The campaign encourages women to consciously call attention and cause embarrassment in crowded public places, where groping or teasing are most experienced. “Safety and Dignity, those are the core ideas behind our campaign,” says Alisha signing off.