GUWAHATI: In the backdrop of rising cases of rape and other forms of violence against women in Assam, a study found 65% of adolescent girls in the state do not feel safe travelling on public transport, while 51% find road to their schools, local markets and private tuitions unsafe.
A study on the perception of girl’s safety in public spaces "
World of India’s Girls 2018" by
Save the Children, pointed out 73% of adolescent girls find lewd comments in public spaces as their biggest safety concern.
In contrast to adolescent girls' safety concern, the study found 47% adolescent boys perceive girls in their same age group as "mostly safe, but they also have to a bit careful." Also 38% adolescent boys harbor the prejudice that "girls are taking jobs away from men".
The study, released by social welfare minister
Pramila Rani Brahma here on Wednesday, was conducted among 516 adolescent girls, 186 adolescent boys, 141 parents and 44 young women who married before attaining the legal age in rural and urban areas in the state.
"Over one in every four adolescent girls perceived the threat of being physically assaulted, including getting raped, while venturing into public spaces. One in three (adolescent girls) perceive to be inappropriately touched or even stalked," the study highlighted.
Also 48% adolescent girls responded that their movement outside homes will be restricted or "severely curtailed" if their parents come to know they being subjected to incident of harassment in public spaces.
Brahma said that it is a matter of big concern that crimes against women are on the rise even as all-out attempts are being made to stop it.
"A lot needs to be done to stop the rising trend of crimes against women. I being a woman also went through oppressive moments live traveling in public transport while going to college. Today the crimes like rape are spreading like virus. There is an urgent need for creating a mass awareness on gender sensitizing especially in public spaces," Brahma said.
On parents included in the sample survey, the study said that 43% parents feel "they would be uncomfortable allowing their daughter to get a job where they have to work side by side with male colleagues throughout the day".
"Safe public transport for women has to be ensured by installing
CCTV cameras, GPS and SOS buttons to alert police control room and sensitization of drivers and conductors. Wherever possible girls/ women-only transport services should be started by the state government especially on routes serving educational institutions like schools and colleges,” one of the recommendations of the study said.
Deputy superintendent of police (CID),
Marami Das said police are increasingly being sensitized on gender-related issues so that crimes against women are dealt with promptly. End