Bhopal: We have heard people saying that girls should not move out after dark and like many girls these two girls feel the same. Having faced situations when they were considered and treated as prostitutes, these girls now try to return home before dark, avoid going out alone even in broad daylight. They feel unsafe and being judged every time they pass through a crowded area alone.
Jyotsna Singh, 22
“I am a student and live in hostel. One evening I was returning from station after seeing off my friend. One guy saw me walking alone on the pavement and started following me.On not paying attention, he rolled down his window pane and asked if I was free and ready to go with him. To be precise, he considered me to be a prostitute and on being rebuked badly he followed me till my hostel gate. I got pretty scared after that incident and now I avoid going alone anywhere even during the day. Such incidents scare more because I am living here alone and every time I cannot take a whole group with me everywhere. Honestly, if you are walking alone after dark, there are high chances that you will be considered a sex worker”, said Jyotsna, who makes sure that she returns before dark or is in a group when returning to her hostel late.
Barkha Maheswari, 24
“It was around 8 pm when I was going to an event from my PG to BHEL area. I boarded on a sharing auto from Board office and told the auto-driver the address and also asked him to inform me when we reach the destination. Since I was new, he did not tell me when my destination left behind and took me to the last stop. When I asked, he said that he forgot and he will drop me back. Till now I was comfortable but suddenly he stopped midway in a secluded area saying that they have some work. I immediately jumped out of the vehicle. They followed me said that they have money. Till now I was hell scared and called my friends, who were already at the party. One of them was continuously on call with me and asked me stop where ever I see more people. Within 10 minutes they found me and took me to the venue and for the entire 10 minutes those two auto drivers kept following me. I remember that was the last time I went out alone”, shares Barkha about her dreaded experience.
