Tatsat Chronicle Magazine

Safe Ride Mera Pride Boosts Women’s Safe Access to Public Spaces, Says Amanda Strohan

The campaign, launched by Chargé d’affaires of the High Commission of Canada to India, is to create an atmosphere of trust and safety for women travellers
December 13, 2021
Amanda Strohan, Chargé d’affaires of the High Commission of Canada to India launched the Safe Ride Mera Pride campaign

Delhi-based national civil society organisation, Manas Foundation, in collaboration with the High Commission of Canada in India, has launched the Safe Ride Mera Pride campaign to mark the 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-Based Violence.

The campaign aims at creating a safe environment for public transport for women by raising awareness and creating a new mindset about how we approach the prevention of gender-based violence. Ms Amanda Strohan, Chargé d’affaires of the High Commission of Canada to India, launched the campaign. Dr Rashmi Singh – Director, Women & Child Development and Special Secretary, Social Welfare, Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, Swati Maliwal – Chairperson, Delhi Commission for Women and Monika Bhardwaj, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) were also present at the launch.

Ms Amanda Strohan flagged off the Safe Ride Mera Pride campaign to help prevent violence against women in Delhi. She said, “When it comes to public transport for women, it’s very important that we create an atmosphere of trust and safety. I am pleased that through this campaign, we are not only training the drivers, but also engaging the general public through these beautiful and meaningful visuals. I am confident that commuters will enjoy travelling in these autos, and that the artwork will Educate, Engage and Empower all of them,” she said.

“IGL has been supporting the programme for the last six years, as it aligns with its mandate of engaging and contributing meaningfully towards improving the quality of life of the communities and environment in which it operates. Women empowerment is one of the focus areas of its CSR programme,” said Amandeep Singh, Vice President – PNG Marketing, Corporate Communication and CSR.

Monica Kumar, Managing Trustee and Founder Member, Manas Foundation said, “In this one decade of working towards creating safe and equal public spaces for women, we have learnt that it takes a concerted and coordinated effort of different stakeholders. And the programme, Barabari ki Dagar Surakshit Safar is yet another initiative to strengthen the movement for accelerating women’s access to public spaces, which plays a critical role in shaping their life and life choices.’’

At the launch event, two refurbished autos displaying gender-sensitive messages were flagged off.  The autos show off artwork that will educate commuters to practice inclusive, equal and progressive behaviour and encourage them to prevent violence against women. From today onwards, these autos will circulate around Delhi. An online activity entitled “Spot the Auto” began running on radio FM Channel Ishq FM 104.8.  The public is encouraged to take a photo of the autos and share it on social media using the hashtag #SafeRideMeraPride.