Women take up ‘Cinderella’ campaign

This campaign gained momentum online, after the Chandigarh stalking case, where Varnika Kundu, a 29-year-old DJ, was allegedly stalked by Vikas Barala, son of Haryana BJP chief. After the incident came to light, the victim was blamed for being out till late in the night. 

Many even shared images of the victim and some went on to question her character, asking why a girl was outside post- midnight. This has resulted in the “AintNoCinderella” campaign, where women are posting defiant pictures of themselves out late. 

“My profession requires me to stay till late in the night. I work for a US-based company. I work till 3 am and drive back home around after that. No one has the right to take that away from me saying because I am a woman, I should not be out during those hours,” says Prabhala Subash, an RJ. 

Subah G, a techie, adds that it is important for people to stop blaming women. “I stay out late, I consume alcohol in the company of others. That does not mean that I am asking for trouble or I deserve to be humiliated,” she says.

The point of campaigns like AintNoCinderella is to show it is normal for women to be in public spaces or stay out late in the night. “It is important that women support such campaigns for women. Many are conditioned to think that it is wrong. The campaign is to say it is normal for women to be in public spaces or on the road, late in the night,” says Vaishnavi Prasad, an ardent traveller.