Ideas worth spreading

Everyone deserves to be safe

55,829 views | Jasmeen Patheja • TED Talks India

What does a woman never leave home without? A safety pin, a pointed nail file, red chili powder -- some small weapon to fight off unwanted touches and grabs in public. When artist Jasmeen Patheja asked women to share this intimate detail of their lives, it made her point: everyone deserves safety. Her project, Blank Noise, helps to reclaim public safety for everyone through public projects that build trust and independence for everyone. Watch to the end for a thoughtful dialogue with host Shah Rukh Khan.

What does a woman never leave home without? A safety pin, a pointed nail file, red chili powder -- some small weapon to fight off unwanted touches and grabs in public. When artist Jasmeen Patheja asked women to share this intimate detail of their lives, it made her point: everyone deserves safety. Her project, Blank Noise, helps to reclaim public safety for everyone through public projects that build trust and independence for everyone. Watch to the end for a thoughtful dialogue with host Shah Rukh Khan.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference.

About the speaker

Jasmeen Patheja

Jasmeen Patheja

Artist

Jasmeen Patheja is a disruptive artist based in Bangalore. She is the founder and facilitator of Blank Noise, a citizen-led community arts collective. Born and brought up in Kolkata, Patheja always had the urge to use her creativity to make a difference. Haunted by the experience of being harassed on the streets, even as a young girl wearing her school uniform, and frustrated by public apathy, she decided to do something about it.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference.