The social media was obsessed recently over a t-shirt worn by a couple of young women with the slogan “Ga gheshe daraben na (Don’t stand so close)”. The message inscribed on the t-shirt made a lot of sense. Hardly any women who regularly travel by buses or other public transport have been immune to sexual harassment. The local buses (as are tempos or Legunas) are almost always crowded, especially during peak times. Though there are a few seats reserved for women, it is no guarantee that a woman who boards a bus will not be harassed. Often, due to the crowd, she is subjected to groping. Many women have experienced this: a man sits next to a lady on one of the unreserved seats and tries to fondle or grope. Other than remaining silent, they frankly have few options. The most they do is get up and go find a separate seat or stand.Making public transport safe for women
Though there are a few seats reserved for women, it is no guarantee that a woman who boards a bus will not be harassed
Syed Mehdi Momin
The social media was obsessed recently over a t-shirt worn by a couple of young women with the slogan Ga gheshe daraben na (Dont stand so close). The message inscribed on the t-shirt made a lot of sense. Hardly any women who regularly travel by buses or other public transport have been immune to sexual harassment. The local buses (as are tempos or Legunas) are almost always crowded, especially during peak times. Though there are a few seats reserved for women, it is no guarantee that a woman who boards a bus will not be harassed. Often, due to the crowd, she is subjected to groping. Many women have experienced this: a man sits next to a lady on one of the unreserved seats and tries to fondle or grope. Other than remaining silent, they frankly have few options. The most they do is get up and go find a separate seat or stand.
Compared to the buses, travelling by autorickshaws or cabs seems safer since it is like a semi-private travel. However, both these modes are not completely harassment-free. Many times, when the rickshaw or the cab is stationary at a signal, men on bikes peep inside and pass comments or point fingers and make lewd gestures. There have also been instances of bikers snatching gold chains from female commuters in cabs or rickshaws. Sometimes, the auto/cab driver has tried to molest the woman passenger.
This apparently benign statement on a t-shirt resulted in a furious reaction among many social media users. The toxic masculine culture has led to a sense of entitlement among many men who are outraged whenever there is a semblance of protest from women against obnoxious misogynistic behaviour. Many men are still making the most vulgar remarks and questioning the moral character of the women. Many others are using that reprehensive logic that by wearing a t-shirt the women are actually inviting trouble--as if anyone, yes boys too have been victims enjoys being groped. The sheer pleasure that perverts derive from victim-blaming defies belief at times. However one really shouldnt be surprised as entrenched patriarchal attitudes is imbedded among many if not most men.
There were others took a sanctimonious stance and said that the ladies in question attacked all men for the fault of just a few. First of all many more than just a few men perpetrate these heinous acts. And when it is written on a wall Do not urinate it does not mean that all human beings are being admonished.
The statement is targeted against those with this filthy habit. In the same manner the slogan is not meant for those who are forced to or accidentally get too close to women in a public transport. It is quite clearly meant for the perverts. But when have perverts and supporters of perversion acted or even thought in a rational manner?
From getting an education to holding down a job, safe public transport is a necessary condition for womens progress in this country. Unfortunately not just local buses in long distance ones too women are facing harassment, and at times of the most gruesome manner. Last year Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samiti carried out a study that brought out the ugly truth of womens safety to light. According to the study 21 women were either raped or gang raped over the course of a year in public transport. Of the 21 women, the fact that nine were gang raped, that too by drivers and helpers of the vehicles, speaks of a sickening truth: Clearly these were not isolated incidents, but part of a pattern of a diseased mindset, which significant portions of the population inhabit. It is only because perpetrators feel that they can get away with the crime, and the fact that law enforcement remains repeatedly unable to catch perpetrators, that rape and harassment of women remain a problem that refuses to go away. In the most blunt manner possible the unsafe public transport gives women the message that they must stay at their homes. The roads and streets are not for them.
How can we sit back and allow this to happen to women, who play such a significant role in our society, as contributors to the economy, as members of our neighbourhood, and, most importantly, as human beings? Urban transports should equitably serve all city residents, regardless of gender. Women dont have genuine access to transport if transport systems arent designed to meet their distinct mobility needs, and if public spaces arent safe. Experiencing sexual harassment on the transit systembesides the obvious humiliation and trauma can cause women to change their routes to take alternative transit options that may be less convenient, take longer or are more costly, and on the extreme end, they may leave jobs if public transit is their only option and they are tired of or scared from the harassment they face. It is an environmental issue too. Women are at the crossroads of people we have to convince because they will determine whether the future of transport will be public transport or private vehicles. Ensuring women are part of decision-making is the key ― but unfortunately gender has not been part of the way we have been thinking about transport.
While women continue to experience varied forms of street harassment, the important thing is not to get dejected or depressed but continue to find ways and means to deal with it.
These could be in the form of raising an alarm, filing a complaint or helping out a woman in need. It could also be in the form of working with the local authorities to make public transport safer and enjoyable for women. Women have as much right to public transport as men and there is no reason why any form of harassment should discourage or scar them from using it.
And it is equally critical for men to pitch in as well. Thankfully, steadily many men are speaking out against this despicable attitude. And they should. After all, a woman being harassed is somebodys mother, daughter or sister. Both genders need to work together to eliminate the monster of street harassment specifically in public transport.
People who sexually harass women come from various tiers of society, age groups, and geographical areas, unveiling the pervasiveness and epidemic nature of this problem. Many women are forced to use public transportation due to the lack of options, leaving them susceptible to harassment. So, the transport system must change. The authorities can and should take on the responsibility of making their public transportation system safer for women.
According to this writer the young women wearing the t-shirt should be applauded for her courage and readiness to face hostility. Some other young women in Dhaka are trying to jumpstart a movement to protest a very sick phenomenon. Every sane person, of all three genders, ought to support. The distasteful manner in which so many reacted deserves only contempt.
The writer is Senior Assistant Editor of The Independent
