Thursday 23 May 2013
News updated at 10:36 PM IST
Weather
Max: 33°C
Min : 21°C
In Bangalore
Heavy rain

They cross-dressed for a cause

Bangalore, Jan 12, 2013, DHNS:

Wear what you like

Skirted, they walked, 25 of them,  all in their mid-20s, inviting intense and intriguing glares and glances, to disprove the  common notion that anything ''skirted'' is inviting to be ''raped.''
Members of New Socialist Network wear skirts during a protest against sexism, casteism & capitalism in Bengaluru on Saturday. PTI
From City’s busiest business street — Brigade Road to the namma Bengaluru’s very own “Hyde’s” Park (Cubbon Park) — they marched, much to the amusement and awe of the onlookers,  to champion women’s right to “wear” what mattered to her than be proscribed for it.

Collecting a crowd of 100 at the Park’s point, they pledged: “I promise that I will be sensitive to gender issues in the way I speak and act. I promise not to be passive.

I will step in if I hear offensive speech or views. If I see something wrong happen in front of me, I will create a discussion and talk about my beliefs” Soon after, a discussion was also held with people uninhibitedly sharing personal experiences about day-to-day sexual harassment faced by women.

The initiative — Skirt the Issue — brainchild of publicist Samarpita and Adithya Mallya, which gathered its initial momentum through active Facebook page with over 500 Bangaloreans showing interest, culminated in the Skirt the Issue Walk that had the town talking.

Jay, business analyst, said “I felt free, light and good to walk in a woman’s shoes. Women dress in minimum clothes to confidently express themselves. I realise now it’s a matter of comfort. Men should support this freedom of expression and stop demeaning them. We have stimulated a change in mindsets and our purpose has been served in that aspect”

Added Adithya Mallya “ Clothes and personal attitudes cannot cause sexual assault Don’t waste time highlighting elements that have no importance. Instead address areas which require change.” Observed Deepak, an adman:  We joined the issue to share our voice, facilitate an awakening and stir the consciousness of narrow minded. Rape is not always determined by circumstance. It is our duty as men to take responsibility for our unforgivable actions

Go to Top

Photo Gallery
Youth bath in a canal on a hot summer day in Jammu, India, Thursday, May 23, 2013. Severe heat...

Youth bath in a canal on a hot summer day in Jammu, India, Thursday, May 23, 2013. Severe heat...

A pair of mynahs trying to beat the scorching heat at a pond as temperature soars in New Delhi..

A pair of mynahs trying to beat the scorching heat at a pond as temperature soars in New Delhi..

A man looks through the window of his house in downtown Srinagar May 23, 2013. REUTERS

A man looks through the window of his house in downtown Srinagar May 23, 2013. REUTERS

Actress Priyanka Chopra at a hotel in Katra near Jammu on Wednesday before paying a visit...

Actress Priyanka Chopra at a hotel in Katra near Jammu on Wednesday before paying a visit...

Actor Deepika Padukone smiles during a promotional event for her new movie 'Yeh Jawaani hai...

Actor Deepika Padukone smiles during a promotional event for her new movie 'Yeh Jawaani hai...

A boy fills a plastic container with water dripping from a government tanker in New Delhi...

A boy fills a plastic container with water dripping from a government tanker in New Delhi...

children transport barrels filled with water from a government tanker in New Delhi...

children transport barrels filled with water from a government tanker in New Delhi...

Beachgoers stroll along the Fort Kochi beach as clouds hover over the Arabian Sea in the southern...

Beachgoers stroll along the Fort Kochi beach as clouds hover over the Arabian Sea in the southern...

A Bakarwal herds his flock of sheep on the outskirts of Srinagar, India...

A Bakarwal herds his flock of sheep on the outskirts of Srinagar, India...

An elephant handler in a pond at the Hathi gaon (Elephant village) on Jaipur-Delhi Road near...

An elephant handler in a pond at the Hathi gaon (Elephant village) on Jaipur-Delhi Road near...