Know Our Team: Building a Better Society for Future Generations

Know Our Team is a series that attempts to bring to you the stories of our team, share our experiences, why we do what we do and special moments that have left an indelible mark in each of our lives. 

Ashwini Syed is Safecity’s Training Manager and has been conducting workshops for adults, youth and children with Safecity in Maharashtra. Prior to this, she worked with Jet Airways for 15 years where she trained Pilots and Cabin crew on Safety and Emergency Procedures, Dangerous Goods Regulations, Human Factors and Situational Awareness. She also trained ground personnel on Ramp and AirSide safety. She is a mother of 2 young children and is passionate about gender equality and sensitivity.

Know Our Team: Building a Better Society for Future Generations

Standing in front of a group of young adults, I was struck by the friendly, enthusiastic faces I was looking at. There was also expectation and curiosity about the workshop. I was there to address an issue that we are facing in our society and in many places around the world; the problem of child sexual abuse, sexual harassment and gender inequality.

Ashwini facilitating a workshop on Gender Sensitivity and Sexual Harassment.

This problem has always existed but seems to be growing out of control and must be stopped. Not a day passes without some case of molestation, rape or child abuse being reported in the newspaper. And for every case that is reported, hundreds are going unreported.

We must realize that harassment and abuse covers the whole gamut from a lecherous look to a lewd comment or to an act of sexual assault. Every act of harassment big or small has to be tackled and this is where Safecity comes in.

Safecity recognizes that every girl and every woman faces some kind of sexual assault at some point. The problem is compounded by the fact that the victim themselves are reluctant to report these assaults due to reasons like social stigma, patriarchal culture, fear of police, tedious procedures etc. to collect data on the smallest of incidents, safecity encourages victims to speak up and report anonymously.

As a mother of two children, a boy and a girl, I envision a society where gender is not the deciding factor for their career choices and to achieve success in what they decide to do, a society where gender is not a handicap and where respect is given equally.

When I was given an opportunity to work with Safecity, I realized that I not only will be serving the interests of my children but this  will be my little contribution to society itself. The satisfaction that one gets from working for the betterment of humanity is beyond measure.

Ashwini facilitating a session on child sexual abuse awareness with grade II students of St. Joseph’s Convent School, Bandra.

Prior to this, I worked with Jet Airways for 15 years where I trained Pilots and Cabin crew on Safety and Emergency Procedures, Dangerous Goods Regulations, Human Factors and Situational Awareness. I also trained ground personnel on Ramp and Airside safety.

“A woman is human.
She is not better, wiser, stronger, more intelligent, more creative, or more responsible than a man.
Likewise, she is never less.
Equality is a given.
A woman is human.”
― Vera Nazarian, The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration