Going through Reddit for me is like going through a thousand different people’s minds and reading what they are thinking. From reading about what kind of pizza toppings that are in right now to reading about the experiences of people, the conversations are endless. One recent conversation that caught my eye was, women discussing tools they carry when they step out of their homes to protect themselves. Women’s safety is a real concern and it’s sad that in 2024 we still have to carry self-defence weapons.
Now as saddening as this is, women have to be extremely vigilant when stepping out and worry about women’s safety (which really shouldn’t be a concern since it’s a basic human right). As crimes against women continue to rise, it’s upon us to ensure our safety and protect ourselves from attacks. TBH, carrying pepper spray is common practice, one that I follow as well whenever I go out at night regardless of the area because we’ve been told by society to always be prepared for the worst. Discussing the same, women on Reddit listed things that they carry to stay safe and it’s heartbreaking, to say the least. While the list was long, here are some of the items that women think are easier and makes a lot of sense carrying while going out past dark or anytime really in these times.
1. Pepper Spray
Pepper Spray is a godsent to make anyone cry who dares to come near you. This is easily accessible and doesn’t take up much space in our handbags.
2. Flashlight
Carrying a flashlight is always beneficial whilst going into the dark so that you can see what’s coming from a distance. It also comes in handy when you want to scare away anyone coming your way or if you want to fight back by flashing it right into their eyes.
3. A Big Metal Bottle
When selecting a water bottle to carry with you, a metal bottle would be beneficial because it is easily accessible and can be used as a weapon in case of an attack. Plus as this Redditor rightly pointed out, there’s the added bonus of cold water too!
4. Pocket Knife/ Sharp Keychain
A sharp keychain or a pocket knife is absolutely necessary for women’s safety. We all need a weapon to defend ourselves if it comes to that.
5. Feeling Of Confidence And Safety
Going out alone is scary, but a little intimidation in the eyes and rage will help you feel a little better and, of course, scare away anyone who might be trying to attack you.
6. Hair Spray
The resting bitch face is obviously my favourite, but keeping a small can of hair spray is helpful, not just for touch-ups but also as a potential deterrent in case of an attack.
Conversations Around Self-Defence
The conversation calls attention to the emotional toll of constantly being on guard. Women shared stories of harassment, unwanted advances, and close calls. It’s a burden no one should have to bear, and in between of such conversations. While reading it, my mind instantly went to the Rajeev Masand Round Table Conversation where Deepika Padukone talked about how women should feel safe while going out while Rani Mukherjee insisted that self-defence is necessary and would be a great solution to avoid such things. While I do get where Rani is coming from by talking about taking matters into your own hands, I don’t believe that everyone has the same physical capabilities to knock someone out.
While wishing for a world where women (and everyone else) can walk the streets without fear is ideal, where self-defence becomes a choice, not a necessity, we do wish for it to come true one day. But until then, the anecdotes on Reddit are a powerful reminder of the value of female camaraderie and our innate ingenuity.