Liberty to all the ladies

“I need feminism because my cooking skills seem to carry more weightage than my educational qualifications," reads one of the messages a girl has sent over in order to participate in an all-India online photo campaign ironically titled 'Who needs feminism?'

The campaign, started by Alishya Almeida, a 21-year-old Mount Carmel College graduate, took off with a big boom on November 16 on social networking sites. It involves women uploading pictures, making strong statements that start with “I need feminism because...."

“My aim is to create a platform for women to speak out their fears and of issues they face in daily life on the road, be it eve teasing or dowry or not being allowed to ride a motor bike. Maybe some other woman can inspire or help her solve it," says Alishya.

Everyday, hundreds of girls upload messages about touchy topics, but they mostly go unnoticed. “When there is a rape case reported, there is so much talk, but everything dies down. This campaign is not going to let that die down," she states.

Speaking of her inspiration to start such a movement, Alishya says, “My sister and I were always told that we need to be able to support ourselves. Unlike other parents, we weren't told that a husband will take care of us."

Although she has been an empowered girl all her life, she began taking feminism seriously after the increase in injustice done to women in India.

“That's why I started the campaign,“ she quips. But do such cam paigns make any difference? “Maybe not at a very high level. I just hope to ignite a spark with this campaign," she humbly says. “We are going to be parents and running households in the years to come, so the least we can learn is how to handle such touchy issues."

Looking smart with a pixie hair cut, she takes offense when men around her use profanities that are associated with women.

“Even if a guy feels bad about something, he is told to 'Stop being such a girl.' Although my friends mean no harm, when they say it, I tell them to quit doing that. They're probably scared of me now," she laughs.

She stresses that the campaign is not only for women to express their concerns. “Even men are invited to comment. My aim is to break all the gender stereotypes that exist in India, and those are a bit too many," she says.

A blogger and a budding poet, she loves writing and enjoys reading books about inspirational women. “I recently read about Cheryl Sandberg, the COO of Facebook, and am really inspired. Someday I'd like to have a book published myself," she says ambitiously.