Ending harassment

Last week, the Police warned male drivers and riders that strict action would be taken against them if they were found guilty of harassing female drivers on the road. The Police also urged women to file complaints with them or the Women and Children’s Bureau in case they had been harassed on the streets. DIG Ajith Rohana, while addressing the media, called these acts sexual crimes and reassured the public that legal action could be taken against wrongdoers.

Two young women took to Facebook to expose men who had allegedly harassed them on the streets. They posted pictures of their harassers online and explained how the men on motorbikes had taken pictures of them and made lewd gestures at them while they were stuck in traffic. In one case, the perpetrator had allegedly followed the woman’s vehicle for some time while engaging in his vulgar conduct while those around laughed.

It speaks volumes that these women believed that their best response and course of action would be to take to social media, in order to draw attention to the subject and to try and find justice. It is certainly neither the first time nor the only type of crimes that citizens would opt out of reporting straight to the Police but it is certainly indicative, despite the DIG’s claims, of these issues mostly being ignored by the authorities. Women feel like they have a better chance at justice by posting pictures of their harassers on Facebook than making a formal complaint to the Police; and that is a damning indictment on the Police, the justice system and our people.

Similar incidents were reported when some women posted stories and pictures about harassment during the Vesak season, while visiting the various pandols and dansals around the city. Even during a time when reverence and respect should be practised, it seems there is little escape from heckling, catcalling and unwanted groping.

According to the findings of a study commissioned by the United Nations Population Fund (UNPFA) in 2015, 90% of Sri Lankan women have been subjected to sexual harassment on public buses and trains. Sexual harassment on public transport is faced by women globally and may occur in varying degrees of physical and verbal abuse, even leading to incidents of rape. It limits the mobility of women and reflects the deeper issues of gender imbalances within societal structures. 

In addition to violating the fundamental rights and freedom of women and girls, it also contributes towards creating an environment of insecurity, which limits their full participation in public life, employment and education.

The issue of harassment is not only faced by women who use public transport. Women on the streets – be it in a bus, trishaw, their own vehicle, or on foot – are subject to both verbal and physical harassment.

The authorities have, for many years, verbally committed to ending this backward sexist mentality. However, the response from victims has been sceptical to say the least. Most women remain silent over instances of sexual harassment while those around dismiss it as an unavoidable phenomenon. Apart from creating awareness on the matter, authorities must create an atmosphere in which women can feel safe and positive about reporting even the smallest of infringements. It is time to turn words into actions, and end this archaic behaviour in all parts of society in order to create a safer and more inclusive environment for all.