Do not be afraid.

Be responsible. Use caution. Understand your strengths. Work on your weaknesses. Get fit.

Nurture relationships. Love yourself. Take charge. Go out. Have fun.

Sometimes, it is OK to say no.

To your boss, to your partner, to anyone.

Stand up for yourself, others are busy.

Do not teach fear.

Do not tell your sister, daughter, friend that it is her fault if something happens. Teach her instead

to take care of herself, to manage risks,

to judge wisely, to stay safe.

Caution empowers. Fear paralyses.

Fearlessness is freedom.


The Fearless Tattoo Project urges women to reign in fear and regain control of their lives. Have the word Fearless tattooed on your skin for free, in your own handwriting, in your own language. Make a permanent, public commitment to never again let fear dictate the terms of your existence.


The Project

The Fearless Tattoo Project is a pledging campaign that aims to awaken women to the fears that inhibit them from living their life to the fullest.

Apart from the general angst that everybody experiences now and then, most women harbor very gender –specific fears: Fear of physical and emotional violence, fear of disapproval, of rejection and isolation. These fears are class-agnostic, and are almost always culturally inherited from older women in our lives, from mothers, aunts, teachers and mentors.

To reverse this culture of fear, we encourage women to make a permanent, public commitment to work every day at overcoming their crippling inhibitions, and even more importantly, to make a promise to never teach fear to other women – daughters, sisters, friends.

Your pledge will be the word “Fearless” tattooed on your skin, in your handwriting, in the language of your choice. This way, you have a daily reminder of your promise, a mantra that slowly becomes part of your psyche, a talisman to seek comfort from when fear surges. This tattoo is neither a fashion statement nor an ornament, but a key to a profound personal and cultural transformation.

The tattoo will be given by Sujatha Srihari, a Chennai-based tattoo artist.

The Fearless tattoo is free of charge, now and forever. The only expectation is that you understand its meaning and value, and that you commit to live by this pledge: Do not be afraid, do not teach fear.

Please view the gallery for pictures of women who have already taken this tattoo.

If you are a woman who is interested in knowing more or in getting this tattoo for yourself, please contact us.


NOTE: This site is still under construction. Please check back often for pictures and for blog posts about this topic.

FAQ

Isn’t fear a good thing?

We make a distinction between fear and caution, and yes, caution is a very good thing. It helps you assess danger and prepare yourself adequately. Fear on the other hand paralyses the mind. Fear is natural to the human psyche, but uncontrolled, unconquered fear stunts our potential, and corrupts our quality of life.

Why only women? Men have fears too!

Of course, but we are not men, and we do not presume to understand men’s fears. We, the two women behind this project, grew up in India during liberalization and the dramatic changes that the era brought. Like most women our age, we were the first women to seek employment in our families, without examples to look up to or learn from. Not surprisingly, we grew up with crippling fears ourselves, and are still working on them at various levels. This tattoo project is offered specifically to women because we understand their pain and plight intimately, while we can only imagine the emotional life of a man.

Why a tattoo?

Because a tattoo is permanent, and we want you to remember your pledge forever. You will not lose a tattoo, forget it at home, or sweep it under the carpet when it is hard to be courageous. A tattoo is the only thing you will carry to your grave, and to your dying day, would you not like to be fearless?

What if I don’t want a tattoo?

That is completely OK. We see the tattoo as a promise that you make to yourself, and promises are meaningful only if they are voluntary. If you do not want the tattoo for religious, aesthetic or other reasons, you need not get one. However, if you do not want the tattoo because someone in your life might disapprove of it, right there is a fear that you may want to work on!

Why is it for free?

Because we do not want money to interfere with the motive. Our desire is to see women awaken to their fears and inhibitions, to take control and to teach courage and caution instead of fear. The woman who receives the tattoo is making a pledge for herself, and she shouldn’t have to pay for it. If it stays free, the project can reach women of every economic group.

So how will you fund this?

As of now, we are funding this project ourselves, and friends help with time, material or expertise. We do not yet have formal funding plans, although we are convinced that a cause that is truly worthy will find a way to live and grow.

Gallery