This underreported issue demands societal awareness and collective action to ensure women’s safety and dignity
There are certain things which society considers abominable to such levels that even talking about them is taboo, but not talking about them doesn’t mean they don’t exist in society. It is just that nobody dares to discuss them for fear of stigmatisation. One such menace, very little talked about yet ubiquitous, is sexual harassment in public transport.
According to a study by the National Commission for Women, 46.58% of women have reported experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace. A UN Women survey further reveals that 71% of women across various age groups have faced such harassment in professional settings. While these figures pertain to workplaces, the situation in public spaces, particularly in Kashmir’s public transport, remains alarmingly underreported.
A recent article highlights that sexual harassment, assault, and abuse in Kashmir’s public transports—buses, sumos, and autos—are rampant, especially on high-risk routes.
The overcrowded public transport has become a hotspot for predators to harass female students by taking undue advantage of the situation.
In a society as conservative as Kashmir’s, women often endure sexual assault, abuse, or harassment in silence. They refrain from reporting such incidents due to fear of judgment and potential harm to their reputation.
Personal Accounts:
During a routine bus ride, I witnessed a distressing incident. A young college student, seated beside me, was visibly shaken when a man, appearing to be in his 40s, placed his hand on her shoulder. Overwhelmed, she demanded the bus to stop and disembarked, tears streaming down her face. Shockingly, the man then sat beside me, attempting a similar act. This time, I confronted him, slapped him, and with the support of fellow passengers, ensured he was removed from the bus.
Another incident involved my cousin, who, while travelling, was subjected to lewd remarks by an intoxicated man claiming, “You girls are public property.” Fortunately, some men intervened, standing up against such behaviour.
These experiences underscore a pervasive issue: the normalisation of harassment in public spaces. Many women choose silence over confrontation, fearing societal backlash. A fellow passenger once confided, “It happens to every girl, and we shouldn’t share this with anyone. Warna log kya kahenge?”
The Broader Picture:
A survey indicates that 37% of citizens have experienced or observed harassment in public transport, including buses. In Kashmir, the absence of comprehensive data and the reluctance to report such incidents exacerbate the problem.
While some districts have initiated measures, such as helplines to report harassment, the effectiveness of these interventions remains limited without widespread awareness and societal support.
Conclusion:
Sexual harassment in public transport is not merely a women’s issue; it’s a societal malaise that demands collective action. It’s imperative to foster an environment where victims feel empowered to speak out and perpetrators are held accountable. As a society, we must break the chains of silence and stigma, ensuring safety and dignity for all.
“Silence is complicity. Speak up against sexual harassment in public places and on buses. Every voice matters in creating a safe space for all.
The writer is a law student
Roohina Wani
ro**********@***il.com