Women talk tough: Give security or lose business

Up in arms against official apathy to curb growing incidents of abduction and rape in the city, women have started calling their own 'safety' shots.

Up in arms against official apathy to curb growing incidents of abduction and rape in the city, women have started calling their own 'safety' shots.

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Under the banner 'Gurgaon Girlcott', from April 13 to 15, women in Gurgaon have decided not to splurge on shopping, eating out, visiting salons and indulge in other expenditures that benefit the private sector in Gurgaon.

The move is aimed at hampering the city's merchandisers, who will in turn, will influence the Gurgaon administration to wake up and ensure safety.

On Friday, nearly 100 women gathered at the city's Galleria market and started the three-day protest. NGO Let's Walk Gurgaon and Jagori also pitched in their support to the cause.

Though many participants stated that the move was "symbolic", spirits ran high as the Asmita theatre group performed a street play. Performances were also given by singer Rabbi Shergill and music group Gurgaon Drum Circle.

"I stopped by to appreciate the step taken by women. The idea makes sense though it has its limitations. Immediate action by the police is the need of the hour," said Avantika Gupta (20).

"We know our protest will not change things overnight but we will be happy if it registers with the local administration that hence on, we are not going to sit back and suffer," said Richa Pandey, a communication consultant who floated the 'Gurgaon Girlcott' group on the social media site.

Meanwhile, the protest has not gone down well with mall owners in the city who say it's for the police to initiate immediate action. They say that footfalls in malls had already been affected due to law and order problems. On the other hand, the administration claims that it was doing its best to curb crime against women.