Gender inclusivity, they call it; the idea that people other than men live on this planet, and should be given some attention too, every once in a while. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation decided to do this a while ago, by changing a few traffic signals to represent women. The stick figures were given dresses and, naturally, everyone assumed this would promote equality almost at once.

Several publications celebrated the move, asking residents for their opinions. One of their comments struck me: "People have started to recognise women's power," was the supposed quote. "It's a good initiative to achieve women empowerment." Now, at the risk of coming across as the perennial Grinch who hates Christmas, I decided to read that resident's statement again and question not just how new traffic signals meant recognition of women's power, but how it empowered women.