Indian Supreme Court Takes Steps To Stop Street Harassment
Sexual harassment on India’s streets, commonly known as “eve teasing,” has been a longstanding issue in the country. However, the Indian Supreme Court has taken a step towards addressing the problem by directing each of the states in India to develop policies to prevent this kind of sexual harassment on their streets. In this article, we explore the issue of street harassment in India and its impact on women, as well as the significance of the Supreme Court’s directives.
The Issue of Street Harassment in India
Street harassment, or “eve teasing,” has long been prevalent in India, with women frequently subjected to unwanted attention, comments and physical contact while in public spaces. It is a form of gender-based violence that affects millions of women across the country and can have serious consequences for their physical and mental well-being.
The harassment can take a variety of forms, from verbal abuse and wolf-whistling to groping and other acts of physical violence. Women are often blamed for provoking the harassment, with victim-blaming and shaming being common responses from both the public and law enforcement.
The Impact of Street Harassment on Women
The impact of street harassment on women is significant and far-reaching. It can lead to feelings of fear and anxiety, and can limit their ability to freely move about in public spaces. It can also cause psychological harm, such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Street harassment can also have economic consequences, as women may be deterred from pursuing education or employment opportunities if they feel unsafe in public spaces. It can also limit their social and civic engagement, further perpetuating gender inequality in the country.
The Supreme Court’s Directives
To address the problem of street harassment, the Indian Supreme Court has directed each of the states in India to develop policies to prevent this kind of sexual harassment on their streets. Each state is required to establish a nodal agency to receive and address complaints of sexual harassment in public spaces, as well as to deploy plainclothes policewomen to patrol these areas. The directives also call for the establishment of awareness campaigns to educate the public on the harm caused by street harassment.
The Supreme Court’s directives are significant, as they demonstrate a commitment to addressing the issue of street harassment and holding those responsible for perpetrating it accountable. They also send a message to women across the country that their safety and well-being are a priority for the government.
Conclusion
Street harassment is a serious issue in India that affects millions of women and perpetuates gender inequality. The Indian Supreme Court’s directives to each of the states in India to develop policies to prevent this kind of sexual harassment on their streets is a positive step towards ending this harmful practice. It is now up to each state to take action to make public spaces safe for women, and to work towards creating a more equal and just society.
Sexual harassment on India’s streets, a practice commonly known there as “eve teasing,” is a problem that must be alleviated within three months, according to directives given by the Indian Supreme Court this week. The Supreme Court has directed each of the states in India to develop policies to prevent this kind of sexual harassment on their streets.
Some of the remedies that the high court proposed included cameras placed in public areas where sexual harassment or even sexual violence are most common. Helplines to be dialed by victims of unwanted male attention could also be useful to help catch men who are harassing women. “Eve teasing” can take several forms in India, ranging from verbal bullying to catcalls or even flashing of the genitals or groping.
Another strategy recommended by the Indian Supreme Court is to have female police officers in plain clothes watching areas where harassment is likely. By having women officers present and able to arrest men who engage in harassing behavior toward them, the harassing behavior would likely stop in that location very quickly.
Surveys in India have consistently shown that sexual harassment is not regarded as a problem by a large number of boys and men. While men have said that women are simply being “teased,” women have reported significant psychological problems as a result of repeated street harassment and eve teasing.
The 26 page Indian Supreme Court judgment also warns of disatrous consequences including suicide for girls who are relentlessly teased. According to them, even being on public transit can be “a horrendous and painful ordeal.”
Private organizations and smaller public departments were also called upon to watch for incidents of harassment and take steps to prevent them from recurring. For example, because many incidents of eve teasing occur on India’s many overcrowded buses and other public transit options, the court says that transit operators should be required to file a police complaint when a woman complains about sexual harassment. Failure to comply would automatically result in a cancellation of permits, meaning that the bus would not be able to continue operating.
The Court noted that the Indian Constitution assures all of its citizens the “right to live with dignity and honour.” According to the judges, three different articles of the Indian Constitution have been violated because of the states’ repeated unwillingness to tackle the problem of ongoing and pervasive sexual harassment in public places.
Sources: timesofindia.com, supremecourtofindia.nic.in, in.com
