On Nirbhaya's Death Anniversary, Women To Meet & Sleep On Parks To Reclaim Public Spaces

Do you know why women from all across the world decided to meet on December 16 and sleep under a tree in a park or rather any public space for that matter? It is their way of reclaiming the public spaces that have been denied to them.

In an innovative campaign called #MeetToSleep, Jasmeen Patheja, the founder of ‘Blank Noise’ urged girls from across the country to meet in a park and take a nap for a couple of hours. It is a volunteer-based campaign.

This year is important. December 16, 2017, is the fifth anniversary of the Nirbhaya gang rape and murder in Delhi, which is a reminder that women are not safe in public spaces, even if they travel with a ‘male’ friend as advised many concerned parents. This is the year where Times acknowledged “the silence breakers” as the person of the year. This year the #MeToo campaign made women speak out about sexual violence. This is the year when women made their voices heard.

Why the need for the campaign?

In a country, where MPs blame women for getting raped, this campaign is the need of the hour. In 2014, the project gained movement and just last year 150 women participated in the campaign. This year women from Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Delhi and even San Francisco are taking part in the movement.

The Logical Indian Take

Women are asked to be careful in public spaces, they are asked to carry pepper spray all the time because it is not safe. But the question is, why is it not safe? If men can access public areas, at any time of the day without the fear of getting molested or assaulted, then why can’t women enjoy the same freedom? This is a campaign for equality which can lead to women move freely in public spaces.