Behind the wheels of the car, Sarita Vijayan sat listening to a podcast of Elon Musk in an interview. When the tech whiz was asked why he started a rocket company, he replied, ‘I was thinking of ways to move humanity forward’.

His response got the social entrepreneur thinking, ‘what can we do to move humanity forward?’ Her ponderings in time led her to establish a platform called the WAR Room (Women And Responsibility) that focuses on finding ways to empower the urban women.

Vijayan believes that one needs to understand the responsibility of their choice and then the rights through which they act. “It is essential to understand that life is a series of choices you make,” says Vijayan, 45. “Some people may be forced into a corner due to circumstances, but ultimately if something has to change it has to start from yourself. Through the WAR Room, we want to build a community where the idea of responsibility is taken up by as many people.”

The platform works on four broad topics: self-defence, financial, legal training and deep-conditioning. Vijayan, who has made self-defence mandatory at her workspace, explains through an example. “You may find yourself in a certain situation that is not safe for you. While you expect the police to save you, at least you can carry a whistle. We implore women that if you want security, first get rid of the mental fear and learn some basic moves. Even 10 seconds can make a difference.” 

In terms of finance, she believes that more often we look at our careers as optional, but unless one doesn’t have money to support herself no freedom can accrue. There are no free lunches. “So, the surest way of keeping your freedom together is footing your own bill.”

In her numerous workshops across India, when Vijayan asked women if they were aware of any law against molestation or abuse, they had no clue. “Society does not want a woman to respond to molestation. It suits the society that the woman surrounds herself with that shame. These are subtle ways in which society controls women without saying so we believe. If somebody molests you and you go to a police station immediately instead of 20 months later and are aware of what and which law was violated,  the conversation with the police then would be different. This just needs a little nudge in the right direction. Training children in college about preventing molestation and telling them these are questions you’ll be asked in the court of law and to answer these without shame are imperative,” says Vijayan, who feels that while these verticals may not change your life entirely, it’ll definitely set you on a different journey.

On the personal front, Vijayan, an alumna of Sophia College and Government Law College, feels blessed to have had liberal parents. Based in Mumbai, she feels more equipped to present a suggestion in the context of urban women and so does the platform. “I don’t feel equipped to talk about rural space. Right now, the WAR Room is about metros and mini-metros. The cultural context of society is very different. But the idea of the WAR Room is not judging anybody.

If a woman decides that her happiness is in listening to her kids and husband, who are we to judge that? All we’re saying is that if you make that choice, the idea of freedom gets altered for you. So you need to be aware of that… it’s not that women can assume to keep on making these choices and in the same breath talk about freedom. Freedom comes with a price. WAR Room offers a calm, unemotional way of looking into things.”

While highlighting responsibility over rights, Vijayan, in no way is discounting the fact that society has not been prejudiced. “However, I also believe that if you’re anti-anything, it is a waste of time. Life is a greatly enjoyable journey provided you should first train and equip yourself. We can’t wait for a society to change,” she concludes.