What a month it was! August 2024

Every month Outbound Marketing Pvt. Ltd. puts out a post on WhataMonth it’s been. While a lot has gone on at work and in most parts extremely exciting, my team and I would like to dwell on “what a woman centric month” it’s been and in most parts horrifying.

Justice K Hema committee has released their report & the Kolkata incident once again puts a spotlight on women’s safety at the workplace or anywhere. Indigo announces seat preferences where women can choose to sit with women. In a way it’s good not to be next to an entitled space hog. But that’s not the debate.

Most women & I carry a bubble around us like a second skin, our shield. Everyday this bubble is burst by unthinking actions: a fellow passenger with no idea on how to contain themselves within their airplane seat, someone behind, standing too close to even let the air pass through or a cab driver making a pit stop to pick up an extra passenger in the hope of making that extra buck. Very small and unthinking actions that compromises our sense of safety constantly.

I set about trying to bring about the changes I wanted to see in my circle of influence. I raised a daughter to be strong, educated and emancipated to conquer the world. I raised a son to appreciate these qualities in other’s daughters as well. I built Outbound Marketing (with help from male partners and colleagues), as a women forward organisation. I am forced to question myself if this is enough.

The Indian travel industry boasts of the largest female workforce. It’s exhausting to be the change you want to see, but you never see it… I remember back in the day Jumeirah Emirates Towers had a designated floor for women, prioritising their safety. Closer home, ITC also had “Eva” floors. With visible evolution and progress, such initiatives seemed to not be the need of the hour.

Sadly we have been proved wrong.