‘Most girls fear harassment and assault in public places’

KOLKATA: The latest study on the perception of girls’ safety in public spaces in Bengal revealed fears of harassment, lewd comments, assault and robbery. Girls from urban as well as rural areas of the state also expressed apprehension of being stalked and abducted.

The report prepared by Save the Children, an NGO that works for the rights of children, revealed that 41% adolescent girls in West Bengal feel that narrow bylanes of neighbourhoods or near schools are unsafe places.

Poor lighting, presence of rowdy gangs, lack of visible presence of security personnel were cited among the prominent reasons for the unsafe environment.

Many adolescent girls said they would probably not report such an incident to any of their family members. Only 27% observed that their parents will lodge a complaint/FIR with police if they come to know that they had been subjected to any form of harassment.

Majority of them anticipate that their mobility will be restricted severely and several impositions will follow in the form of marriage, curtailment in opportunities of education as well as their friendship with boys.

The fears aren’t unfounded. Around 42% parents felt that if a young girl in the community gets physically abused while she is out of her home and people come to know about it, it will be difficult to get a groom for her within the community.

The study also reveals prejudices of adolescent boys and parents towards harassment as well as opportunities for girls. Around 32% parents feel that in any rape case, one should also question the background of the woman. Some 24% boys felt likewise.

Also, 25% parents feel in some harassment cases, women want it to happen or have provoked it. Around 22% adolescent boys also have the same opinion.

Worse, 59% adolescent boys still believe a woman’s most important role is to cook, wash and take care of her family, 54% believe a man should have the final word on decisions at home, and 31% feel slapping a woman to reprimand her should not be considered violence.

Save the Children state programme general manager Chittapriyo Sadhu emphasized on the multifaceted nature of the problem of girls’ safety that requires a collaborative response to make the public spaces safer for girls.