Tehelka!!! The status of women security in our country is not unknown. I would like to praise Indian media and their active role of bringing to notice the ground realities in front of government officials. There has been slight reduction in sexual assaults on women over the period of 5 years as described by National Crime Records Bureau but even a single case of a woman getting raped anywhere is one rape too many. The point here is what are we doing on personal level to make sure that we are safe? To make sure that we can avoid such a shame? To make sure our wives, mothers, daughters are safe? More importantly is there anything we can do?
Unfortunately, not even law can do anything before the crime is being committed, in this case before the rape is done. So the best possible solution is to somehow avoid getting into such a situation or God forbid if you are in such a situation get help as soon as possible. Avoiding such a situation in increasing complex work culture, increasing distances, high need for travelling is extremely difficult. This increases the need to be with someone who is near and dear to you so that you are safe and secured, if not physically at least virtually. The easiest solution is using technology effectively. Cell phones are the only equipment which connects easily and can help in personal safety. There are few must do’s with your cell phone to maintain personal safety during such a crisis:
Keep your SOS numbers on speed dials.
Be ready with your SOS messages.
If you have a smart phone Safety app is installed and is properly working.
For those who don’t know what a safety app is, it is an app which allows you to send single or multiple alert to your pre saved contacts in case of an emergency. There are few apps available on internet and various mobile platforms for the same purpose. Mostly they are free and quite cool app. One such app is “EYEWATCH” it is pretty comprehensive app. It sends multiple signals in form of text messages, audio/video recording, GPS location to your near and dear ones. You can download it by SMS “EYEWATCH” to 53030. You can also search more apps online.
Find out your way to be secure. Don’t rely on external authorities to create a safe environment for you; rather you create your own. If you feel secure keeping a gun, knife, pepper, salt, an app just do it. Make sure you have mechanism that will update your closed ones in real time. They will be faster than any cop on the street.