Abuse of female passengers in public transports

MEDIA report on Wednesday said around 94 percent women are facing sexual and verbal harassment in public transport which is bound to discourage participation of more women to job market and attending educational institutions. The disclosure is quite shocking that almost all but only a marginal few of our female folk using public transports are silently suffering from physical abuse. The incident of rapes in public transports also frequently reported. The fact is that almost all abused usually don’t speak out for social reason because if they don’t want to be personally identified. It may make them more vulnerable instead of giving protection.

We talk about women empowerment and their greater access to public life but their personal safety remains the biggest threat in our country where the culture manifold abuse and sexual harassment of women and girls is on the high side. They must have the freedom and the opportunity to move in dignity. Such threat is bound to rollback participation of women in socio-economic activities. The findings shows the horrible state of women safety on public transports and we can’t sit with the report gathering dust; we must see appropriate action coming from all concerned authorities to address the concern.

As transport workers exercise near impunity in city transport and male attitude towards women in the outdoor is often whimsical when it comes about treating women, the issue needs to be dealt with seriously at various levels. Transport workers need to be trained how to deal with women in dignity and their reckless behaviour needs to be punished. There must be reporting points about abuse by transport workers or adults to law enforcers at every bus stations. Greater public awareness also needs to be created using media and other social outreach to resist such advances. We also need moral and ethical education to reverse the trend.

The research found a majority of the perpetrators who harass women in public transports and in city streets are in the age group between 41 and 60. Sixty six percent women spoke of experiencing harassment by men of this group in crowded places and city malls. Perpetrators use verbal and physical harassment. Over 74 percent face such harassment in transports, 26 percent in the streets. Nearly 45 percent alleges of sexual comments. Many also face such harassment at office, in schools, colleges and universities.

So the big question is how to make every place for women and girls free from one or another form of harassment. They are bound to become mentally sick if they become subject such harassment in their daily life. The society must find viable ways how to give protection to women and help them to live in dignity. It can’t go unabated.