Time to cheer for this amazing move on behalf of the MCD in New Delhi, which is planning to build 250 parks only for women called “Pink Parks”. Finally, after decades, women can be free from the ogling and the constant need to worry if her breasts are shaking and in turn inviting men to inappropriately touch her, when all she wants, is to jog around the park for her health.
This move comes at a time when India is still debating on the same sex marriage legalisation. As India is taking strides towards a progressive transition from the past, women too have been demanding equality on all aspects of life. But most have overlooked the strategic non-inclusion of public places for women in the country.
Accessibility and equality in public places have been completely ignored as part of its agenda or policies. The age old ideas of patriarchy, where it is expected that majority of the women stay at home and public spaces are not really a major area of concern, is finally being addressed. As more women are walking shoulder to shoulder with men towards economic independence and thereby taking autonomy over their health issues and public space ownership too.
Creating the Pink Parks isn’t enough.
What we would need are women security guards and women gardeners for the upkeep and maintenance of the place. This in turn will give employment to many women and also cause a significant reduction of fear in women. For a woman alone in the park at night, with a male security guard at vigil, who might not only be on the lookout of trespassers but also on an exercising woman wearing shorts and a tee isn’t unreal or unthinkable. Therefore, addressing the issue in its completeness is a must. This designated space has to be for the women and by the women only.
It doesn’t help that the fear of the rising crime rate meted out against women makes most of them fearful of strangers in the dark, even if they are supposed to be the caretakers or the law.
Pink Parks will also be a great place for many housewives who may not get time during her chores to go out in the mornings for a walk. She can go into the park after her duties are done. In these women only parks, she can be free of time restrictions, fear of being molested and the reluctance to invest in her health, which is the need of the hour.
Approximately about 31,000 complaints of crimes committed against women were received by the National Commission for Women in 2022. This is the highest since 2014. Many atrocities and sexual assaults are unreported due to the stigma attached to the victim.
Talking to Seema, a young HR executive from New Delhi said: “I work late hours, almost 3 days a week. This reduces my chances to go out for an evening walk in the park, outside my home. I feel unsafe to walk into enclosed parks at night, as I might be the only woman there at that hour. I wish parks and public spaces were more accessible for women like me who work late and dislike gyms.”
Pink Parks as a concept is like a rainbow on the horizon for many women, who have never questioned the unspoken inability to be free like a man, who never needs to worry about stepping out at night for a stroll, from buying a cigarette or just walking his dog. Women’s desires are the same as man, just that fear of assault remains the deterrent since time eternity.
The author, runs a podcast The Mohua Show and is the Founder of an initiative for homemakers called Nari The Homemakers Community.https://www.themohuashow.