In this competition, we invited entries to explore questions around how women in India both perceive and use the public spaces within their neighbourhoods. Which spaces in the city give them a sense of comfort and safety? Which spaces are less likely to be frequented by them? What are their priorities in terms of social, cultural and religious activities in their everyday lives? 

 

In a recent study on ashwath kattes (peepul tree shrines) we found that women were able to spend anywhere from 5-10 min to a couple of hours at the temple and ashwath katte. One of the women had pointed out that she came here to be better informed about specific rituals and usually contacted the Bhajana Mandali here for this. Yet another woman had shared that she usually came here regularly with her daughter and would spend about 15 min at the katte each time. The religious spaces in the city often become the only social spaces for some women. However, for other women, there is the possibility of spending time shopping at a mall, going to the movies, or having a cup of coffee with her friends. The culture of the city sometimes influences how women move and act within the public realm.

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Prize: The two best entries under this theme won a BOOK gift voucher of Rs.1500. 

Each entry received a participation certificate and a few selected entries have been shared here on the Decoding Everyday portal.