Vigya Atri
Over the last few days, the media has been flooded with the news of a nail polish that changes colour when exposed to the date rape drug. You’ve probably read and heard about it, but if you’re still wondering what exactly this nail polish is about, we give you the details.
About The Nail Polish
Known as Undercover Colors, any woman wearing the nail polish has to simply stir her drink with her finger and if the nail polish changes colour, you know it’s been tampered with.
The Origin
Founded by four guys from North Carolina State University, Tyler Confrey-Maloney, Stephen Gray, Ankesh Madan and Tasso Von Windheim, the idea was born when they were thinking about the big problems that exist in the society today and sexual assault facilitated by drugs came up. In fact, each one of them have been close to someone who went through the ordeal of sexual assault. And thus, an idea was born! To have a product that prevented such a crime, integrated with something that women can use easily or already use.
The Counter Arguments
While the product has largely garnered positive feedback, there have been a few negative ones too. A number of people have spoken up about how the focus, here too, is on the women protecting herself and not the actual prevention of rape. A few people have also spoken up about how many a times, victims tend to blame themselves, on what they could have done to prevent the crime. With such a product, the blame tends to partly come on the victim herself as this is a step she could have taken to prevent the crime.
The Future Of Undercover Colors
The nail polish is currently under development and the team is now raising money through donations to refine the prototype.
Our Thoughts
While we do agree that not enough is being done to prevent the heinous crime on the whole and at no point is the victim to blame, let’s take nothing away from the four men who have put together their minds to create a powerful product, that will no doubt empower the women. Sexual assaults facilitated by drugs are a common phenomenon at the end of the day, and if there is a product that can alert the woman of impending danger, it’s no doubt something to look forward to.
Having said that, we do hope for a day when such products will not even be required. But until then, it’s good to know that there are people in this world, constantly working to make it a better place for women.
