In this MMA-KAS-Sri Shakti Trust session, Letika Saran (Retd DGP, Tamil Nadu), L Maithili, and Sowmithra Srinivasan of Shakti Trust redefined safe spaces, calling for cultural change and holistic empowerment of women.
Letika Saran, former DGP of Tamil Nadu delivered a thought-provoking speech, drawing from her vast experience in law enforcement and community engagement. She challenged conventional definitions and practices around the idea of safety for women, advocating for a deeper societal shift. She began her address by questioning the conventional definition of a “safe space”—typically described as physical or virtual environments where marginalised individuals can express themselves without fear. While she acknowledged this definition, she firmly asserted that true safe spaces must include everyday locations: homes, workplaces, markets, religious places, gyms, hospitals, and public spaces. In her view, safety should not be outsourced to isolated shelters; instead, it should be integrated into all spheres of daily life.
Violence in Homes and Workplaces
She identified two of the most critical arenas where safety is often compromised: the home and the workplace. At home, the invisible crime of domestic violence—be it physical, mental, verbal, economic, or psychological—often remains undetected unless the victim speaks up. In workplaces, she highlighted the problem of sexual harassment, defined by unwelcome advances, threats, or coercion under the guise of professional interaction.
She emphasised that responsibility for change lies not just with authorities, but with every individual and that society as a whole must act to prevent and address such violence.
A Traumatised Young Girl
To illustrate the gravity of online harassment, Saran narrated the story of a bright Class 10 student in Tamil Nadu who became a victim of cyberbullying. Her photo and contact number were posted on social media with derogatory remarks, leading to a flood of explicit calls. Though traumatized, she was fortunately supported by her father, the police, and counsellors. The offender—a classmate—claimed it was done “for fun.” Saran used this example to underscore how deeply damaging such incidents can be and the need for timely intervention.
Empowerment means being part of the decisionmaking
process within the family; having shared
responsibilities at home…
Pathways for Redressal
Saran laid out multiple avenues for victims to seek help. Within families, if violence can be resolved respectfully, that is ideal. If not, trusted community elders or extended family may be consulted. Beyond that, professional help from counsellors, internal committees (in workplaces), police, social welfare departments, NGOs, and courts becomes vital. She stressed that quick response by authorities, especially the police, can drastically improve outcomes and empower the victim.
Rethinking Empowerment
She raised important questions about what constitutes true empowerment for women. Is it mere financial independence, or does it go beyond? According to her, empowerment means being part of the decision-making process within the family; having shared responsibilities at home; ensuring one’s voice is heard and respected at work and receiving due credit for ideas and efforts.
She argued that a woman is truly empowered only when she has the tools, confidence, and opportunity to take charge of her life and influence her surroundings.
Community Empowerment Initiatives
Saran shared inspiring examples of police-led awareness and outreach programs:
- In the early 1990s, a district SP initiated mobile community units comprising a policewoman, nurse, teacher, revenue officer, and lawyer to educate women on health, law, and livelihood.
- Awareness campaigns using “propaganda vehicles” and Pink Patrols focused on crimes against women and children.
- Operation Garima in Uttar Pradesh, launched in Agra and now expanded across the state, promotes women’s safety through inter-departmental collaboration.
These efforts showed how law enforcement can play a proactive role in empowering women and creating safer communities.
The third pillar of her speech focused on community responsibility. A strong community, in her view, is one where all members feel valued, and where collective action ensures safety, justice, and well-being. She cited examples of community policing, where police officers engage villagers to identify and resolve issues—ranging from infrastructure to preventing trafficking—thus reinforcing mutual trust and vigilance.
Changing Attitudes Through Sensitisation
Saran concluded with a powerful anecdote from a gender sensitisation program for women police personnel. When asked whether a husband had the right to beat his wife, all participants initially agreed. However, after training, these same officers were able to counsel men at police stations that such violence was unacceptable. This change in mindset, she noted, not only transformed the officers but also helped influence broader family and societal attitudes, especially among young boys, thereby promoting long-term cultural change.
L Maithili spoke on the need for holistic safe spaces for women—spaces that are not just physically secure but emotionally and psychologically supportive as well. She added critical insights from her legal and social experience.
Beyond Physical Safety
While acknowledging the efforts of law enforcement in ensuring physical safety, she emphasised that true safe spaces must also be mental and emotional—environments where women can live without fear, express freely, and pursue their aspirations without judgment or inhibition.
She highlighted that violence against women manifests in various forms—not just physical abuse but also emotional, psychological, and economic oppression. These subtle forms often go unnoticed but are equally damaging, particularly in domestic and workplace settings.
The Myth of Empowerment
The speaker challenged the common assumption that financial independence alone equals empowerment. Many women, she argued, earn money but remain trapped in toxic power dynamics that limit their autonomy and reinforce dependency. Empowerment, she noted, is about choice, voice, and control over one’s life, not just income.
Cultural Conditioning and Patriarchy
Mythili attributed patriarchy as the root cause of gender-based violence. She explained how patriarchal systems normalise male dominance, justify abuse, and silence victims through societal attitudes, victim-blaming, and legal inertia. She also underscored the need to change cultural narratives that reinforce gender stereotypes.
Digital Crimes and Psychological Trauma
The speaker warned of the growing menace of cybercrimes against women, including cyberstalking, deepfakes, and revenge porn, which have intensified due to technological advancement. She shared an incident involving a rape survivor who displayed extreme post-traumatic stress even in seemingly safe spaces, underlining the deep psychological impact of such crimes.
The Need for Cultural and Institutional Shifts
While acknowledging existing laws like POSH and domestic violence legislation, she argued that laws alone cannot ensure safety. A cultural transformation is required—one that dismantles patriarchal norms, challenges ingrained biases, and builds empathy across communities. She stressed that everyone has a role in shaping this culture, not just institutions.
“Empowering women is not merely about giving them
a seat at the table; it is about recognizing that they
have always had something to say.” L Maithili
Empowering Women as a Collective Force
“Empowering women is not merely about giving them a seat at the table; it is about recognizing that they have always had something to say. It means amplifying their voices, investing in their ideas, trusting their leadership, and encouraging them to speak up without fear of ridicule,” Mythili said.
She concluded with a powerful vision: when women are truly empowered, they uplift not only themselves but their communities. She emphasised the multiplier effect of women’s success and advocated for greater inclusion, mentorship, and leadership opportunities. She acknowledged and appreciated platforms like MMA for promoting gender equity and urged that more such forums support and celebrate women.
In the Q&A session moderated by Gp Captain R Venkatraman (Retd), GM, MMA, the speakers answered many questions posed by the online audience.
