Final Report

BASELINE SURVEY OF SAFE CITY PROGRAM

Submitted toActionAid Bangladesh, House # 8, Road # 136, Gulshan-1, Dhaka-1

October 2014

Submitted by

M.A.MannanBadrun Nessa Ahmed

Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS)E-17, Agargaon, Sher-e-Bangla NagarDhaka-1207

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Executive Summary.................................................................................................................................... ivChapter 1......................................................................................................................................................1Background, Objectives and Methodology...............................................................................................1

1. Background and Overview................................................................................................................11.1 Rapid Urbanization in Bangladesh..................................................................................................11.2 Urbanization and development......................................................................................................21.3 Urbanization and Violence against Women....................................................................................4

1.3.1 Sexual harassment....................................................................................................................41.4 The Concept of Safe city.................................................................................................................61.5 ActionAid Bangladesh (AAB): Women’s Rights and Gender Equality.........................................71.6 ActionAid’s Theory of Change.......................................................................................................8

2. Objectives of the Baseline survey...................................................................................................102.1 Overall Objectives.........................................................................................................................10

3. Scope of Investigation.........................................................................................................................104. Research Methodology........................................................................................................................12

4.1 Estimation of Sample Size............................................................................................................124.2 Study Population/Respondent category........................................................................................134.3 Establishing a Methodology for the baseline survey:...................................................................13

4.3.1 Questionnaire Survey/Interview of Women, Men & Boys.....................................................14

4.3.2 Case Study and Focus Group Discussion (FGD)....................................................................17 4.3.3 Qualitative and Quantitative Data interpretation Framework: Triangulation of Data............18

5. Challenges and Limitations.................................................................................................................21Chapter 2....................................................................................................................................................22Socio-demographic Characteristics of Respondents...............................................................................22

2.2 Socio-economic Profile of Respondents......................................................................................222.2.1 Household Income...............................................................................................................242.2.2 Respondents’ understanding of the ‘Meaning’ of Violence at Public Places......................26

2.3 Defining Sexual Harassment...........................................................................................................27Chapter 3....................................................................................................................................................30

3.1 Travel constraints faced by Women............................................................................................313.2 Type of Harassment faced on the Street/in the Market place......................................................32

Chapter 4....................................................................................................................................................34Nature and Magnitude of Harassment Suffered by women.................................................................34

4.1 Magnitude and Frequency of Violence........................................................................................344.2 Place and Time of Occurrence.....................................................................................................364.3 Respondents’ Opinion about Specific City Areas having higher Risks......................................384.4 Respondents’ Opinion about particular time of the Day having higher Risks............................394.5 Negative impact on the lives of Women......................................................................................404.6 Strategies normally adopted by women to get rid of harassment................................................424.7 Factors Affecting Security in Public place.................................................................................434.8 Consequences of Sexual harassment/Violence............................................................................444.9 Knowledge and Awareness regarding Important Issues.............................................................444.10 Measures Needed by the Government to Stop sexual harassment...............................................464.11 Opinion regarding the steps needed to make Cities Safe for Women.........................................47

Chapter 5....................................................................................................................................................49Experience of Sexual Harassment and Help Seeking Behavior............................................................49

5.1 Reactions after being harrassed...................................................................................................495.2 Reporting after experiencing sexual harrassment........................................................................505.3 Places where Complaint was made..............................................................................................505.4 Outcome of reporting sexual harrassment...................................................................................515.5 Image of Police in public eye.......................................................................................................535.6 Barriers in Accessing Services.....................................................................................................545.7 Community awareness/response to sexual harassment................................................................55

Chapter 6....................................................................................................................................................57Focus Group Discussion and Case Studies..............................................................................................57

Section A: Findings from Focus Group Discussion................................................................................57A.1 Issues faced by women in the society in public space.................................................................57A.2 Problems regarding Security........................................................................................................57

A.2.1 Cultural Constraints..............................................................................................................58A.2.2 Institutional Constraints........................................................................................................58

A.2.3 Accessibility Constraints......................................................................................................58A.2.4 Safety and Security Constraints............................................................................................60

A.2.5 Affordability Constraints......................................................................................................60A.3 Voice of FGD participants...........................................................................................................60

Section B: Findings from Case Studies...................................................................................................65Case Study 1: Rajia had to stop going to school because of sexual harassment.................................65Case Study 2: Sexual harassment on the way to tutorial home...........................................................67Case Study 3: School going mother being harassed on the way.........................................................67Case Study 4: A Poor woman, a petty trader, being harassed while in the bus..................................69Case Study 5: A Garment worker being subjected to violence/harassment on the street...................70Case Study 6: A Garment worker being abused/harassed by police...................................................71Case Study 7: A street girl being abused/harassed by police..............................................................71Case Study 8: A domestic help being abused/harassed by mastans/drug addicts...............................72Case Study 9: The story of a rape victim............................................................................................72B.1 Summary Findings from Case Studies.........................................................................................73B.2 The culture of blaming the Victims..............................................................................................75B.3 Concluding remarks......................................................................................................................76

Chapter 7....................................................................................................................................................78Discussion of Major Issues and Recommendations................................................................................78

7.1 Violence against women at public Place.....................................................................................787.2 Harassment faced by Women......................................................................................................807.3 Women and security....................................................................................................................807.4 Consequences of Sexual Harassment/ Violence..........................................................................817.5 Violence against Women and Human Rights..............................................................................827.6 Sexual Harassment and the Laws in Bangladesh.........................................................................837.7 Concluding Remarks....................................................................................................................85

7.7.1 Reasons for Failure to Check violence at public places.............................................................857.7.2 Recommendations......................................................................................................................87

Executive SummaryBackground: Bangladesh urbanized rapidly, post 1971, from a mere 8 % of people living in urban areas to 30 percent now. Urbanization, mostly driven by rural to urban migration saw slums and areas with poor living. While women become vulnerable to violence in these habitations, owing to socio-cultural and religious perspectives, women in general, irrespective of class, faced violence both at home and in public places. Urban spaces have become increasingly unsafe for women.

Sexual violence, in its many forms, affect women, be it home or outside. Rape remains underreported. Particularly incest, sexual harassment / violence committed by relatives, neighbors or those in the community are not reported. So are molestation and eve-teasing. More organized crimes such as trafficking is a reality for women, particularly young girls. It is reported that 15 percent victims were minors. The concept of safe city: The concept of safer cities for women and girls refers to the challenge of developing cities free of violence against women. This violence is manifested in the public sphere of cities (transportation, streets, public spaces, recreational places, health, education, etc.) and in the private spheres of women’s own homes. Safe city can be defined as – safe urban areas where - women have easy access to all public facilities without any violence, women can move and live without fear of sexual harassment in both public and private spheres, and there is a strong legal, political, social and cultural commitment and assurance to ensure a city free from violence against women. Safe City Programme of ActionAid: It is in this context, concept of safe city assumes importance. ActionAid is implementing a four year programme making a city safe for women and girls from sexual violence and fear of sexual violence in public spaces with an emphasis women / girls enjoying their rights in a city. The project envisages three outcomes: (1) women / girls are empowered to enjoy their freedom in public spaces free from fear of sexual violence; (2) a responsive transportation system, police department, local government / urban planning authorities meet community’s demand for providing gender responsive services to ensure women and girls’ right to city; (3) The government to enact and amend policies and legislation related to anti-sexual violence in public places and gender responsive urban planningIt is expected that this programme will benefit 17,730 direct participants, including 8333 males. The programme shall reach out to 10% of women and adolescent girls in seven targeted cities in Bangladesh: Dhaka (Dhaka and Narayangonj city), Chittagong, Sylhet, Rajshahi, Barisal, Rangpur, and Khulna.

Objectives: The ActionAid Bangladesh has commissioned a study to carry out a comprehensive baseline survey with quantitative and qualitative data from a feminist lens. The main purpose of the baseline survey is to assess, identify, and document the existing sexual/fear of sexual violence situation in public spaces for women and girls in urban and

peri-urban areas in seven cities of Bangladesh. An attempt has been made to understand the particular safety issues women face in public spaces, and the type of services available in the light of “Women’s Right to City” .

Baseline Survey – Sampling and Methodology: The baseline survey has been conducted to scientifically establish baseline values for indicators, which shall be compared with an end line study to assess changes brought about by ActionAid programme. Both quantitative and qualitative methods have been used for data collection. For quantitative data collection, a sample size of 800 women / adolescent girls were considered. While these form the primary target population, the study also interviewed 400 men / boys (50% of primary target population), who are an important secondary population. Therefore, a total sample size of 1200 earmarked for the baseline survey. The interviews conducted covered income categories such as those in Poor / slum category (monthly income up to tk. 10,000), middle income (monthly income tk 10,000-25000) and upper income (monthly income tk. 25,000+).The respondents were accessed at busy locations of the cities such as bus stops, railway stations, market centres / shopping malls, parks or educational institutions.In addition, Key informant interviews (KII) were conducted (56) with police, Local govt. and

Urban planning Authority, Transport Authority/drivers/conductors, case studies prepared (15)

and FGDs carried out (14). All these were distributed across the seven cities.

Findings: Majority, 97% of women and 95% of men view sexual harassment as violence. Women recognize clearly various type of harassments in public / private transportation, on the streets, market places / shopping mall. Derogatory comments (85% plus), sexually colored abusive language (46% or higher), derogatory comments by drivers or conductors (86%) / general people in market places (88%) / shopkeepers and sellers (69%) emerged as top of the mind responses. Interestingly fear of mugging / hijacking is the highest at shops / market places and shopping malls (78%). A more or less equal proportion of men / boys agreed to various type of harassments in the public places faced by women.

The previous section established awareness / recognition of harassment / violence faced by women in public spaces, knowing what percent of women were subjected to these harassment / violence is an indicator that establishes extent of problem. Women/girls are subjected to different forms of sexual harassment or violence while on the street: Sexual advances/physical contact/ deliberate push (reported by 57%); Dirty proposal from unknown persons (48%); and Derogatory comments/sexually colored abusive language (84%). Women reported experiencing these abuses during last three months as 4.6 times, 2.7 times and 4.7 times respectively. Higher percentage of women below 20 years reported various type of harassments, compared to 20-29 years and 30+ years. Most of the perpetrators are in the age group of 27 to 34 years. Sexual harassment occurs the most on the road or while walking. Early morning, mid day or evening are the timing women is subjected to various types of harassment.

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The respondents named the following places in each city areas as having higher risks. Overall, risk of harassment is higher on footpath or roadside (85% of women and 77.5% of men). Bus / train terminal (66% women and 63% men) followed. Market places / shopping mall was identified by more than 50% of the respondents and park / recreation centres by two fifths of men and women.

An overwhelming majority, women (90%) and men (92), acknowledged negative impact of harassment / violence in public places.

Women adopt the following strategies to avoid harassment / violence: “avoid going outside at night” (reported by 62.4%), “not going outside alone” (reported by 60%),“avoid visiting specific areas” (mentioned by 47.4%). Other responses include: “avoid crowded place” (23.8%),“avoid lonely place” (26.9%), “avoid using public transport” (13.3%), “avoid wearing colorful dress” (21..9%), and “carrying equipment for self defense” (2.9%). However, a fourth of the women (24%) do not follow any strategy because in their opinion nothing will help them, they will have to tolerate this and live with this kind of harassment.

Respondents also identified various factors contributing to insecurity in public places. They are: sexual harassment (mentioned by 47.5% women and 35% men), inadequate street lighting (mentioned by 39% women and 19% men), no women buses (mentioned by 36.8% women and 25.5% men), fear of mugging/hijacking (mentioned by 38% women and 58.5% men), lack of skilled police/inadequate police patrol (mentioned by 34.6% women and 45% men), and lack of respect for women (as mentioned by 45.1% women and 18.5% men). It was clear that women perceived these mobility risks more than men. Again, 35 percent men and 47.5 percent women identified eve teasing and harassment by touts as special risks for women. Personal security risks were mentioned more by men than women- about 59.9 percent men and 38 percent women identified mugging/hijacking by mastans.

In general, a high percent of women (46%) and men (39%) could not specify laws and rules against sexual harassment. Repression of women and children Act mentioned by 28% of women and 40% of men. More than 80 percent of respondents are aware about the support services. When asked about to mention type of services, the highest proportion mention about police help (81.6%), followed by legal help of court/adalat (68%), health care at govt. health facility (55.9%), and shalish by ward commissioner (46.9%).

The participants identified measures to be taken up by government to stop sexual harassment. They include strengthening of security measures ( reported by 88% of both men and women), a similar proportion want strict enforcement of existing laws( reported by 88% of women and 78% of men), provision of adequate street lighting was the third most important issue ( as

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mentioned by 72% of women and 45% of men). However, increasing the number of police/patrol was mentioned by two-thirds of both men and women. About half of women (48.9%) and a quarter of men (27.5%) wanted new legislation to deal with sexual harassment.

It has emerged that about 50% of those who suffered a harassment did nothing / suffered in silence post incidence. However, about 41% protested instantly. Many, 46% also sought help from nearby people. They also informed the family (54%) and sought help from a friend (36%).

Only 16% of women reported the sexual harassment incident. Majority did not report as this might bring “Dishonor for the family” (70%), “People will look down upon/condescending attitude” (76%), “Social stigma” (46%), “ No benefit from complaining / no action taken” (47%), and “Reporting is a complex procedure” (27%). The negative image of police among the public is so prominent that a significant proportion of women (30.4 percent) said that they do not go for reporting about their suffering because they are afraid of further harassment by the police.

Out of 49 women, who reported the incident of harassment, 61% reported it in a thana or police. Large majority, including those who reported in a thana or police, reported the incident to local leaders / influential persons / ward commissioners, etc (92%) .

Only 43% (21 women) of the women who complained about harassment got some results / remedial measures. Of these, 63% were reasonably satisfied about the outcome and 16 percent are highly satisfied. One fifth, 21% of 21 women were not satisfied at all with action taken.

The 28 women, who reported the incident and did not get any result, a majority said that their case was given less importance (86%). Perpetrators being powerful were reason in case of 75% of women. About 68% also said they it was difficult to prove / lack of evidence. Women also mentioned Lengthy procedure (25%) and high cost (39%).

Image of police in the eye of public remains a major constraint for people seeking police assistance for sexual harassment cases at public places. A very high percent of respondents (81%) said that they would not approach police for help. A very low percent (13%) of respondents reported witnessing police taking any action against sexual harassment cases at public places.

Almost all (95%) said there are problems in seeking help from police. They include (1) the police would blame the women rather than taking actions against the perpetrator (65%); (2)

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the police would take the complain lightly and would not prosecute the perpetrator (57%); (3)the police would merely perform a token service by recording the incident with no further action (37%);(4) there would be no result from the complaint (53%); (5) fear of going to Thana / Police (28%), and (6) risk of further harassment by police (12 %)

The focus group discussions and case studies provided valuable information on current situation of sexual harassment, perception when, where and why it happens and support / assistance required to tackle these. The issues emerged from FGDs are, situation and remedies

Women are working outside the home in larger numbers, but they often have fewer livelihood opportunities and they face various problems when they go outside their homesWomen face constraints with regard to their access to public transport, and they enjoy very little autonomy while they travel.

Sexual Harassment/ abuse against women is widespread.

Women also face insecurity in the event of making complains against violence

Some of the girls/women endure extreme insecurity on their way to workplace/schools/shopping place

Participants of FGDs agreed and case studies revealed that women/girls are subjected to all kinds of sexual abuse/harassment on the street. Poor girl/woman is much more vulnerable. A girl/woman is doubly disadvantaged: she is abused/harassed by the perpetrator and also she is likely to be blamed by the society and community.

Fear of being robbed, mugged and physically injured is a major concern expressed by participants. In all the seven cities women are afraid of being attacked in footpaths and back streets/lanes, especially after sunset.

The main victims of sexual harassment are girl students, squatter women and those who work in the informal sector. Many of them have to travel on public transport or on foot daily for their livelihoods and sheer survival. They face harassment and violence on buses, mini-buses and other forms of transport.

Some of the women who suffered harassment have changed their schedules. For example, some women have stopped work or working during the night shift and some of the girls have changed the schools, courses and even abandoned going to school due to the fear of sexual harassment on the street.

Conclusion: In Bangladesh, in the cities where baseline study was conducted, violence against women in public space is accepted and sexual harassment is often seen as a failure of

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women in disciplining themselves – free movement or type of cloths. The society tolerates, even accepts, violence at public place. It is evident that gender-based violence including eve teasing, rape, sexual abuse, is widespread. It is also a fact that it is underreported. Women/girl and family choose not to report, fearing stigma or any useful outcome. Absence of deterrence, accomplice of police, and connections with locally powerful people are the main barriers for reporting. A majority who reported could not get any justice as perpetrators used their powers to wriggle out of the case. This has resulted in women limiting use of public spaces restricting full realization of their potential. This is a serious curb on women / girls enjoying range of human rights in public spaces. The insecurity, threat, harassment and violence are real.

The study also found that there is a need to address some of the root causes of sexual harassment and violence. They are:

No law to deal with sexual harassment;

Social tolerance of violence at public places;

Cultural tendency to accuse the victims instead of the culprits;

Financial and social obstacles of women in seeking justice;

Complicated and lengthy legal process;

Ineffective implementation of laws;

No proper and timely prosecution of the culprits;

Lack of gender sensitivity in dealing with cases of violence by police and judicial authority;

No change in deep rooted values, beliefs and attitudes towards women;

Lack of political commitment of the leaders. VAW is not yet included in the agenda of political parties manifesto.

To change these, a concerted effort is required from Government, administration, political leaders, donor communities, NGOs, women’s organizations, human rights organizations and other members of civil society. The focus should be on:

Changing the mindset and attitude of people to remove disparity and discrimination against women. It is the males who are mainly responsible for violence at public places. So they should be sensitized to change their mindset;

Government must strongly deal with various forms of violence at public places. Exemplary punishments must be enforced for certain cases. At the same time, speedy trials and non-bail able cases should be dealt with severely;

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Effective implementations of existing laws are necessary. Human rights activists and women’s organizations should act as pressure groups for proper implementation of laws, amendment of existing laws/ enactment of new laws, and timely disposal of all cases;

The victims of violence must be encouraged to break the silence, to speak up about their experiences;

All personnel in position of authority in the judiciary and police force should have gender sensitivity training. Without this, women’s access to justice will not be improved.

Recommendations:1. Amendment of existing laws or Enactment of new laws so that offences relating to Sexual

harassment/ abuse can be dealt with. A working group consisting of representatives from several NGOs, women groups and legal specialists may prepare a draft in this regard.

2. Appropriate services to victims, in the form of direct support from the police, health, judiciary and Human Rights Groups

3. Active prosecution of perpetrators should be taken by agencies, including NGOs and groups working for women’s rights

4. Including issue of gender violence in school curricula, with an emphasis on quality between sexes in all matters

5. Media to portray balance, healthy and gender sensitive perceptions of male-female relationship

6. Community education efforts – directed to women, men and family elders – must effectively communicate (i) women’s right to safe city and (ii) the likely consequences of violence against women at public spaces.

7. The Government should take appropriate and effective measures to deal with complains regarding violence cases. Increasing the size of police force to increase the frequency of police patrol, particularly in places were women go for work / to schools and colleges. There should be a Sexual Harassment and Prevention Cell at the police station to deal with sexual harassment cases.

8. A mechanism should be developed or strengthened for women to voice their grievances, particularly ensuring accessibility for poor and excluded women.

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Chapter 1Background, Objectives and Methodology

1. Background and Overview

1.1 Rapid Urbanization in BangladeshBangladesh, as the rest of the developing world, is urbanizing rapidly; around one-third of the

country’s population comprising 50 million people, live in urban areas. In recent years, urban

population is growing at an increasing rate in Bangladesh(at an annual rate of between five to

six percent).Urban population has grown from 5 million in 1970 to 22 million in 1990 to

about 52 million in 2010. Even though level of urbanization is low in Bangladesh, the

magnitude of urban population (more than 50 million) is larger than the national population

of many countries in the world (Australia, Canada). It has been projected that the share of

urban population will be 44.3% of total population by 2030 (UN 2002), and more than 50%

of the population will live in urban areas by 2050 (UN 2007).

There were 41 urban areas in present day Bangladesh at the census of 1901 and 1911 which

increased to 51 in the census of 1921, 59 in 1931, 60 in 1941, 64 in 1951, 78 in 1961 and

more than 300 in 2001. Bangladesh is a speedily urbanizing country where the urban base has

expanded dramatically, from less than a tenth (around 7%) of total population in 1974 to

about a third of total population in 2011.

The rapid urbanization of Bangladesh is likely to have profound implications for the health

profile of her population. Accompanying this rapid pace of urbanization, there has been a

faster growth in the population residing in slums and squatters. It is estimated that slums

represent the fastest growing segments of the urban population, which is almost double the

growth of overall urban population.

Most of the urban residents are especially vulnerable to various risks--crowded living

conditions, unhygienic surroundings and lack of basic amenities such as garbage disposal

facilities, water and sanitation. The near total absence of civic amenities coupled with lack of

primary health care services in most of the urban settlements has an adverse impact on the

health status of its residents. However, the health of the urban poor is significantly worse off

than the rest of the urban population and is even worse than the health conditions in rural

areas.

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Urban residents are especially vulnerable to health risks. ‘Vulnerability’ can be defined as a

situation where the people are more prone to face negative situations and when there is a

higher likelihood of succumbing to the adverse situations. In addition to poor health and

hygienic conditions, majority of urban people suffer from insecurity.

1.2 Urbanization and developmentUrbanization, industrialization, and education are three of the variables most commonly cited

as bearing in causal relationship to development. Before the British period, urbanization and

industrialization are believed to have been considerable in Bengal but subsequently they

declined. Starting from small sizes, cities and towns have grown again over the last century

and at an accelerated rate after the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971. The share of urban to

total population was less than 8 percent in 1971 which increased to about 30 percent by

2011..

It is argued that differences in livelihoods patterns in urban and rural community stems from

differences a socio-economic condition between the two. On the one hand, rural communities

are generally characterized by relative homogeneity, a predominantly agrarian economy, a

higher degree of illiteracy and lack of adequate scope for income earning activities. On the

other hand, urban communities are more diversified economically, are more heterogeneous in

composition and are more literate, since by their occupational diversification, there are

usually many jobs requiring some degree of education and skill training. However, it needs to

be mentioned here that urbanization in the country stems more from a rural exodus generated

by agricultural over population rather than from economic expansion and transformation of

industrial and occupational structure.

Urbanization has traditionally been considered as an inevitable process to go through for the

development of a country but unplanned and unequal development of urbanization; especially

in third world countries like Bangladesh, could in turn emerge as a major obstacle. Since an

urban condition widens the horizon of multifarious economic activities, a huge number of

both skilled and unskilled employees come together to live and work in a particular area.

People from the wide spectrum of the society regardless of the distance from the city have

been pulled by the new opportunities in urban areas and this process, widely known as

migration, occurs in response to the increasing pace of urbanization.

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The relationship between urbanization and development has not been linear; often it emerges

as a reciprocal manner. Sometimes urbanization can be a cause of migration and vis-à-vis

migration could also lead to the urbanization of a country. Migration led urbanization or vice

versa both represent an antinomy in countries like Bangladesh. People from different social

ranks and mores seek urban destination, voluntarily or involuntarily, in order to obtain better

livelihoods, shelter, education, and also choose migration as a stepping stone to change their

fortune. Consequently, huge influx of migrants makes the cities densely populated; they

reside mostly in the urban squatters and suffer from the severe scarcity of urban utility

services. These newly created demands for utilities services, employment, health, education

etc. pose serious threats to the sustainability of the urban attractions.

The link between urbanization, a degraded environment, inaccessibility to health care and a

deteriorating quality of life is particularly significant. Large-scale unplanned rural-urban

migration and the continuous growth of towns and cities have resulted in overloaded public

services, scarcity of housing, inaccessible health care facilities and a negative impact on the

environment. Some characteristics of urban areas are overcrowding, squatter settlements,

pavement dwellers and slums.

Access to even minimal services of sanitation, drinking water, electricity, roads, transports

etc is absent. They are caught up in the vicious cycle of insecurity, low wages, unhygienic

working environment, and hard working conditions on the on the hand, and absence of any

other option on the other. This sets in motion a vicious cycle of poverty and deprivation. The

abysmal lack of adequate civic amenities also cries out for urgent intervention by the

government and city/municipality administration in bringing some vital improvements.

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1.3 Urbanization and Violence against WomenUrbanization is also associated with drug trafficking, prostitution, violence and crime. Urban

residents are subjected to frequent violence and exploitation by local mastans, extortionists.

The condition of women and girls become even more vulnerable, because they suffer

violence both at home and in public places.

In the South Asian region, violence against women has assumed multi-dimensional forms,

such as trafficking in women and girls, domestic violence, sexual abuse, violence at work

place, forced prostitution, child abuse etc. Recent addition to the already manifold problems

is fatwa (i.e. women are punished unjustly using sharia/Islamic law). Not only in South Asia,

but also in the world at large, violence against women has become one of the most visible and

articulated social issues.

In Bangladesh, women endure daily beatings, harassment for dowry, verbal abuse and acid

attacks for refusing to comply with male demands. Other women become targets of extreme

forms of violence such as incest, rape, forced marriage, early marriage, and dowry deaths.

The incidence of VAW is on the rise.

According to WHO definition, “Gender violence encompasses violence against women

within the family or within the general community – including rape, sexual abuse, sexual

harassment, forced prostitution and violence perpetrated or condoned by the state, wherever it

occurs (WHO 1997)”.

There is no universally accepted definition of violence against women. Definitions vary

according to different perspectives, and are reflected differently in different policies. The

globally accepted UN definition is widely used in Bangladesh. This broader definition of

violence against women recognizes not only physical, sexual and psychological violence, but

also threat of violence. “Any act of gender-based violence that result in, or likely to result in,

physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts,

coercion or arbitrary deprivations of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life”.

1.3.1 Sexual harassment

Sexual harassment/eve teasing is a major form of violence faced by women/girls in public

places. Sexual harassment comes in all forms, and in all spheres of a woman's life. From

ogling, winking, passing comments in the form of sexual innuendos, to touching, groping,

'eve-teasing', stalking, sending lewd text messages, 'prank' calls, display of pornography,

threatening and intimidation, acid attacks, and unwanted 'love' proposals. Most women in our

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country have been subjected to some form of sexual harassment at some point in their lives.

Sexual harassment occurs in different places:

o on the street,

o at the workplace, and

o at educational institutions

This typology, while imperfect and far from being universally accepted, does provide a useful

framework for understanding the complex patterns of sexual harassment taking place in the

everyday lives of women in the cities. However, in both research and practice, the dividing

lines between the different locations of sexual harassment/ violence are not always so clear.

Because a girl/woman may suffer sexual harassment at all of the above-mentioned places. It

also overcomes many of the limitations of other typologies by capturing the nature of violent

acts, the relevance of the setting, the relationship between the perpetrator and the victim.

A draft policy on Sexual Harassment in Bangladesh (2009) identifies the parameters that

define sexual harassment, which include among others, making sexually colored

jokes/remarks, unsolicited comments and advances, commenting on a person's clothes,

creating pressure to yield to a love proposal or physical relationship, blackmailing with

photos or video, touching any part of a person's body without consent, and pestering a person

with letters, emails, text messages, posters, wall writings, notices and cartoons etc., and any

harassing behaviour towards girls or women by youth/adult/ students, physical harassment,

using one's social or political power to force someone to have a physical relationship.

Women who have to be in public places grimly 'accept' harassment as part of their daily lives,

facing it as soon as they are out of the house. Instead of demanding a change in male

behaviour, women are segregating themselves from their male counterparts, sometimes by

wearing hijab, as a defense mechanism. In spite of this horrific climate, there are no national

laws against sexual harassment at public places.

Rape is the worst form of intimidation, the taboo surrounding sexuality and the “shame” and

loss of honor generally prevent women from seeking justice in cases of rape. Moreover, the

burden of proving the assault rests on the victim and the focus is more on the victim’s

character, possible provocation and temptation rather than the offence perpetrated by the

assailant. The extent of this violence may be seen from the figure of the rape victims (6,597

during 2003-2008) as compiled by BNWLA. Taking into account the reasons for non-

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reporting cited above, this might be a reflection of only the tip of the iceberg. The most

shocking part is that about 15 percent victims were minors. This is the manifestation of

society’s failure to protect female children from such devastating violation. Sexual abuse

among young girls and adolescents is a violation of a young girl’s basic rights and bodily

integrity and may have profound health consequences such as behavioral and psychological

problems, sexual dysfunction, relationship problems, low self-esteem, depression, thoughts of

suicide, deliberate self harm, alcohol and substance abuse and sexual risk taking. In addition,

women who are abused in childhood are at a greater risk of being physically and sexually

abused as adults. Sexual abuse in childhood has also been linked to a range of negative

reproductive health outcomes such as unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted

infections, including HIV.

1.4 The Concept of Safe cityThe concept of safer cities for women and girls refers to the challenge of developing cities

free of violence against women: the greatest expression of equality between men and women.

This violence is manifested in the public sphere of cities (transportation, streets, public

spaces, recreational places, health, education, etc.) and in the private spheres of women’s own

homes. The Safer Cities for women and girls concept is based on the need to build urban

spaces where the rights of women as human beings and citizens are recognized and on the

need to implement corresponding public policies in order for those rights to be fulfilled

(PCDN 2012).

According to “A Draft Strategic Framework for Women’s Safety in Delhi 2010” (Suri 2011),

“A safe city is one that promotes the elimination of gender-based violence, while at the same

time promoting equal opportunities for men and women in all the spheres of social,

economic, cultural and political life (access to employment, education, political participation,

resources and leisure, etc.)”.

ActionAid’s Safe cities initiative promotes the concept of the right to the city. For ActionAid,

Safe city is a place where the State is accountable for ensuring opportunities for women and

girls to enjoy their city. It means:

Safe Public spaces where women and girls can move freely, including without fear of

sexual harassment or assault

Freedom from sexual harassment and abuse in all public spaces, including markets,

streets, parks and the workplace.

6

Gender sensitive policing mechanisms for reporting violence, obtaining redress and

accessing services for survivors such as anti violence centers/shelters.

Urban amenities and services, which includes access to transportation and other

public amenities at home and public places to reduce the risk of violence.

Safe city can be defined as – safe urban areas where - women have easy access to all public

facilities without any violence, women can move and live without fear of sexual harassment

in both public and private spheres, and there is a strong legal, political, social and cultural

commitment and assurance to ensure a city free from violence against women. The public

facilities include access to employment, education, water, sanitation, health and legal services

and assurance of healthy environment. The public and private spheres include home,

workplaces, commercial places, recreational and medical centers, streets and transports used

for communication etc. Legal, Political, Social and Cultural commitment and assurance

means the availability of constitutional guarantees, policies, legislations, institutional and

organizational initiatives, individual efforts and collective practices.

1.5 ActionAid Bangladesh (AAB): Women’s Rights and Gender Equality

Addressing the issue of Violence against Women has important implications for human rights

and gender equality. Violence is also a means of control and enforcement of social norms.

Moreover, it affects outcomes at individual and family level. Women who experience

violence have worse health and other outcomes.

ActionAid Bangladesh (AAB), an associate member of ActionAid International Federation,

works with thousands of communities countrywide to end poverty and injustice. AAB’s has

entered into its Fourth Country Strategy (CSP-IV) period titled “People Challenging Poverty

and Exclusion”, underpinned by its human rights based approach (HRBA) to development,

transforming power relations in every community where AAB works.

Goal

ActionAid puts women’s rights and gender equality at the centre of its work. One of the five

strategic objectives of ActionAid’s 2012-2017 strategy is to:

“Ensure that women and girls can break the cycle of poverty and violence, build economic

alternatives and claim control over their bodies.” The “Safe City for Women & Girls”

7

programme contributes to meeting this organizational objective. The “Safe City for Women

& Girls” programme aims to influence both decision-makers at a local and national level in

Bangladesh as well as decision-makers at the international level. The programme targets

women’s ‘Right to the City’ and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). It is

innovative in that it attempts to bring together these two key areas of ActionAid’s women’s

rights work that are frequently dealt with separately in development interventions despite the

strong linkages between these two issues in women’s lives. In targeting both, ActionAid

foresees that this programme will have a greater impact by empowering women and girls to

claim their rights to live life free from fear of sexual violence.

1.6 ActionAid’s Theory of Change

ActionAid works through a human rights based approach to development, which places a

commitment to building the active agency of people living in poverty at its centre. This

approach is deeply concerned about challenging unequal power, which is seen as the source

of rights violations and injustices, especially upon those living in poverty. For the young

women involved in this programme, their age, gender, class and migrant status intersect.

Discrimination and inequality perpetrated on this basis gives rise to violations of their rights

to decent work and sexual and reproductive health rights. AAB’s approach asserts the

indivisibility and interconnectedness of rights, recognizing that for young women to enjoy

their rights, they must work to challenge policies and laws, as well as practices and behaviors

that perpetuate inequality. AAB therefore addresses their access to decent work1 and sexual

and reproductive services simultaneously in three key ways – empowerment, campaigning

and solidarity:

Programme Background and Overview

In March 2012, representatives of Action Aid countries selected Safe Cities as one of the

three multi-country campaigns (MCCs) upon which the federation will work during 2012-

2017. In response with the AA’s prior campaign of Safe City Programme, AAB’s objective is

to organize, and mobilize women, men and youth and their organizations on demanding

pubic policies towards creating a safer environment in cities for women and girls. AAB will

1AAB hopes to build on the extensive work and experience of ILO who sees productive employment and decent work as a key development goal. Decent work sums up the aspirations of people in their working lives. It involves opportunities for work that is productive and delivers a fair income, security in the workplace and social protection for families, better prospects for personal development and social integration, freedom for people to express their concerns, organize and participate in the decisions that affect their lives and equality of opportunity and treatment for all women and men.

8

advocate for the improvement in public services (light, water and sanitation, health and

mobility and transportation) through holding governments and corporate to account. By 2017,

AAB will mobilize and empower at least a significant number of women and girls, who will

raise their voice against gender- based violence in public spaces and will have access to

participate in decision making process on urban planning and law enforcement.

Programme goal: To accomplish these objectives, the AAB’s safe city program/campaign’s

impact is set for 2014-2017: Making a City Safe for Women and Girls from sexual violence

and fear of sexual violence in public spaces and enjoy their rights to city.

Expected outcomes:

• Outcome 1: Women and girls are empowered to enjoy their freedom in public spaces free

from fear of sexual violence.

• Outcome 2: Transportation System, Policing, Local Government and Urban Planning

Authority are responsive to community’s demand for providing gender responsive services

to ensure women and girls’ right to city

• Outcome 3: The government will enact and amend policies and legislation related to anti-

sexual violence in public places and gender responsive urban planning

Target group and indirect beneficiaries: There will be 17,730 direct participants (female-

9397, male-8333). Across the programme, there will be 10% indirect participants of women

and adolescent girls in 7 targeted cities. However, the residents of whole city, especially

women and girls will be benefited.

Project location Divisional Cities; Dhaka (Dhaka and Narayangonj city), Chittagong, Sylhet,

Rajshahi, Barisal, Rangpur, and Khulna in Bangladesh.

The project will ensure justice to all participants irrespective of race, class, religion, ethnicity,

and age to ensure safe and secured mobility (for women and girls) 24 hours a day round the

year. However, the project will explicitly target the women living with disabilities, Dalit2

community, indigenous people, internal women migrants, garments workers, domestic

workers in ensuring the safe mobility and rights to city. The targeted Men and Boys groups

will take a stand on intolerance of violence against women in cities.

2 Ethnic minority who are considered to be the untouchable and are engaged in sewerage, drain and garbage cleaning activities of the city.

9

2. Objectives of the Baseline surveyThe ActionAid Bangladesh has commissioned a study to carry out a comprehensive baseline

survey with quantitative and qualitative data from a feminist lens. The main purpose of the

baseline survey is to assess, identify, and document the existing sexual/fear of sexual

violence situation in public spaces for women and girls in urban and peri-urban areas in seven

cities of Bangladesh. An attempt has been made to understand the particular safety issues

women face in public spaces, and the type of services available in the light of “Women’s

Right to City” .

2.1 Overall ObjectivesThe overall objectives are, to:

i. Assess the current situation of insecurity faced by women in public places(nature

and forms of violence and/or harassment faced by women),

ii. Examine attitudes and behaviors of women , men, girls and boys towards

normalization of violence (societal perceptions and attitudes to sexual

harassment/fear of violence);

iii. Assess the existing services and capacity of the relevant service providers in gender

responsive public services (police in safeguarding women’s rights, etc);

iv. Provide insights and recommendations that will contribute to strengthening the

activities for the safe city for women and girls initiatives.

3. Scope of InvestigationThe empowerment of women and girls lies at the core of AAB programming.  This implies

that all programming is directed towards women’s empowerment and is designed taking into

account three domain of change i.e. enhanced decision-making, reduced violence against

women, and strong advocacy including amendment of existing laws or enactment of new law

against VAW targeted to men.

The overall goals of AAB program are directed towards ensuring that women and girls can

break the cycle of poverty and violence with particular emphasis on:

Promoting and protecting rights of women in the light of women’s human rights,

with particular emphasis on Right to City and Sexual and Reproductive Health

and Rights (SRHR);

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Creating a protective environment to shield women from gender-based violence in

general, and sexual/fear of sexual violence in particular;

Promoting accountability by duty bearers through improved planning,

implementing and monitoring;

Enhancing institutional capacity of gender responsive public services to protect

women and girls.

The most basic rights are: the right to Life, Survival and Development; and the right to be

protected from all types of discrimination and violence. Women and victims of gender

violence are in special need of three things: (a) protection from abusive behaviour/violence,

(b) access to (women friendly) services, and (c) opportunities for personal growth and

development with a view to:

Ensuring women’s security;

Ensuring them of opportunity;

Ensuring safe city for women and girls and by providing support to those in need.

The present research intends to look into the following major components:

Situation analysis focusing on mapping of support services with regard to capacity

building for key actors involved with protection and promotion of human rights

(in the context of Women’s Right to Safe City); and in case of rights violations,

increasing access to justice by providing gender sensitive services, and advancing

public education and outreach.

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4. Research Methodology

4.1 Estimation of Sample Size

The appropriate sample size for a population based survey is determined by three factors:

estimated prevalence of variables of interest, desired level of confidence and acceptable

margin of error.

For a survey design based on multistage, random cluster sampling, the required sample size

can be estimated according to the following formula:

n=z2p(1-p)d(1-nr)/e2

n = required sample size

z=confidence level at 95 percent (standard value of 1.96)

p=estimated prevalence of variable of interest

e=margin of error at 5 percent (standard value of 0.05)

d= design effect, and

nr= non-response or recording error (usually 5 percent of total sample)

The estimated result is rounded up to the closest number that matches well with the number

of clusters to be surveyed. While estimating sample size, all measurable key indicators is

taken into consideration.

In drawing representative sample from this universe, the criterion ‘incidence of Eve

teasing/sexual harassment’ has been used as sexual violence/fear of violence is the focal point

of AAB program. It was found from Zohir and Paul-Majumder study (2008) that 34 women

out of 100 reported to be victims of eve teasing/ sexual harassment at public places/ on the

street. Thus a measurable estimate of 34 percent is considered realistic based on Zohir and

Paul-Majumder (2008).

Taking p at 0.34, the total sample size for the female respondents is estimated as:

n=(1.96)2×0.34×0.66×2×1.05/0(.05)2 =724.16 725

Where z=1.96, p=0.34, q=1-p=0.66, d=2, e=0.05, and nr=0.05

12

On the basis of the above calculation, the minimum sample size required is around 725.

However to be on the safer side, the ultimate sample size for women has been decided as

800.

4.2 Study Population/Respondent category

Reducing violence against women requires long-term commitment and strategies including

all segments of the society (men, women, community leaders, service providers, police, etc.).

Working with men/boys to change their behavior is an important part of any solution to the

problem of sexual harassment/violence against women. Raising awareness of men and boys

about negative aspects of sexual harassment/eve teasing and promoting healthy relationship is

important to achieve AAB objectives.

There are two major categories of respondents for the baseline survey- primary and

secondary.

Primary target population: Adolescent girls and women

(School/college going girls, garment workers, domestic workers, women migrants,

school going mothers, and women belonging to other socio-economic groups).

Secondary target population

Men

Boys

In view of time and resource constraints, the number of male respondents (men and boys)

covered for the baseline survey is 50 percent of that of female respondents (i.e. 400 with 200

men and another 200 boys). This implies that a total of 1200 respondents (800 women/girls

and 400 men/boys) have been covered in the baseline survey. The baseline survey was

conducted at different busy locations of the cities- bus stoppage, launch terminal and train

stations (at least 3-4 points), market centres/shopping malls (3 to 4 locations), parks, and

educational institutions.

4.3 Establishing a Methodology for the baseline survey:

Both Quantitative and Qualitative data was utilized. The study employed a range of research

methods (questionnaire survey, FGD and case studies) in order to gather data on the

incidence of and attitude towards gender based violence at public place.

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The study employed a two-track methodology:

The first tract consisted of analysis of secondary sources of data. An initial review was made

of secondary sources, focusing on existing data on problems of security and gender

violence/sexual harassment at public spaces. An indicative list of the sources of secondary

data is given below:

Documents/reports of donors/AAB;

Documents/reports of NGOs/INGOs;

Reports of research organizations/academic institutions

The second track consisted of primary data collection including:

Questionnaire Survey with Women, Men and Boys;

Key informant interviews (KII) with police, Local govt. and Urban planning

Authority, Transport Authority/drivers/conductors including discussion with

different stakeholders (national actors/Policy stakeholders;

FGDs with community leaders/civil society members, women’s groups;

Case Studies.

4.3.1 Questionnaire Survey/Interview of Women, Men & Boys 

Sample Selection

We can divide the social class on the basis of the income-upper, middle and poor.The income

of the upper class is much higher than that of the other classes. On the contrary, the income of

the poor class is the lowest in Bangladesh. For example,

Percent of total income earned by the richest 20% of the population: 42.8%

Percent of total income earned by the poorest 20% of the population: 8.7%

Respondents were selected from three different categories based on household income i.e.

poor, middle and upper income group. According to the latest Household Income and

Expenditure Survey (HIES, 2010), the average monthly household income of urban

population was Tk. 16,477, compared to monthly income of Tk. 9,648 in the rural area. Only

35% of low-income metropolitan inhabitants use hygienic latrines. In Dhaka, only 26% of

slum dwellers use hygienic latrines. Nearly 46% of the households in metropolitan areas

cannot access the health-care services.

14

We have interviewed 1200 respondents representing three income categories as follows:

(i) Poor/slum dwellers (having monthly income less than Tk 10,000):

representing 40%,

(ii) Middle income (with monthly income ranging between Tk. 10,000 to 25,000):

40%;

(iii) Upper income group (with monthly income exceeding Tk. 25,000): 20%

The poorer section was somewhat over-represented, since the AAB project explicitly targets

women from marginalized community-internal women migrants, garment workers, domestic

workers, other vulnerable women. In view of this, we have given more weight to the poorer

segment of the population in the baseline survey.

The data for the present study largely come from the survey of six divisional cities including

Narayangonj city. The samples were selected in consultation with the AAb experts. The

selected cities are Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barisal, Sylhet, and Narayangonj.

A total of 1200 respondents(800 women, 200 men and 200 boys) were selected from seven

cities as shown in the following table.

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Table 1: Sample size by city and income category

Division/

City

No. of

Respondents

Respondents by income category Respondents by gender

Poor/slum

category

(monthly

income upto

tk. 10,000)

Middle

income

(monthly

income tk.

10,000-

25,000)

Upper income

(monthly

income tk.

25,000+)

Women and

girls (15-49

years)

Men and Boys

(15-64 years)

Dhaka 300 120 120 60 200 100

Chittagong 210 84 84 42 140 70

Rajshahi 120 48 48 24 80 40

Khulna 120 48 48 24 80 40

Barisal 120 48 48 24 80 40

Sylhet 120 48 48 24 80 40

Narayangonj 210 84 84 42 140 70

All 1200 480 480 240 800 400

It is clear from the table that in the process of covering 1200 respondents, we have

interviewed 480 respondents from poor category, another 480 from middle income group and

240 respondents belonging to upper income group.

Key Informant Interview (KII):

Key Informant Interview (KII) was conducted with three groups:

i) Police,

ii) Urban planning authority.

iii) transport operators/authority

Transport authority (BRTA/BRTC)

Transport operators (drivers/conductors).

In each city, there were two KIIs with police, two with transport authority, two with transport

operators and two with urban planners . Thus 8 key informant interviews were conducted in

each city, leading to a total 56 KIIs in the 7 cities.

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Information was obtained on constraints regarding transport and mobility of women, and

measures needed for improving efficiency of service delivery and related aspects.

4.3.2 Case Study and Focus Group Discussion (FGD)

A one-shot survey is usually deficient in many respects for an understanding of the complex

issues involved with regard to causes and determinants of violence against women at public

space. Thus, a single interview, however in-depth and intensive, may not be able to capture

the interplay of factors which cause or lead to violence at public place. In view of this,

several individual case studies have been prepared for a deeper understanding of the causes

and consequences of eve teasing/sexual violence, and to identify factors that may either

protect or put women at risk of such violence.

A total of 15 case studies have been prepared(with at least one from each city). The case

studies illustrate the range of variations in nature, extent and consequences of violence, and

the strategies and services that women use to cope with violence. Critical incidents that led to

violence/fear of violence, has been explored through discussions with the victims. The role of

police, community and other actors- has been reflected through the case studies and the

strategies and services that women use to cope with violence.

In addition to questionnaire survey and Case Studies, information was obtained through

FGDs. The FGDs were conducted separately with women (poor and non-poor) and

community leaders (including ward commissioners, school teachers, business men, religious

leaders etc). During the FGDs,8-10 participants were asked to give their opinions regarding

safety issues in public place and their perceptions and attitudes towards sexual harassment at

public spaces.

.

Focus Group Discussions (FGD) were conducted with two groups-women’s groups and

community leaders/local elites.

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FGD with Women:

FGDs were conducted with women belonging to different strata of the community: poor and

non-poor. In each city, one FGD was conducted with poor women and another with women

belonging to non-poor group.

One FGD was conducted in each of the 7 cities with poor women consisting of garment

workers/poor working mothers/domestic help etc (n=7). However, FGDs were segregated as

per criteria and location on the basis of concentration .Dhaka, Chittagong and Narayanganj

are heavily concentrated by garment workers, thus one FGD in each of the three cities were

conducted with garment workers.

Similarly, one FGD was carried out in each of the 7 cities with non-poor women: female

school teachers, school going mothers, housewives etc (n=7).

The FGD with women has provided women with a scope to feel ‘free’ to talk about events

and the strategies they take to avoid, address, or mitigate episodes of violence in their own

and other women’s lives.

FGD with Community People:

In addition to FGD with women, seven FGDs were conducted with community leaders (one

in each city):

Ward members and informal elites (community leader, youth leader, shopkeepers, school

teachers, religious leaders, etc.)

The discussion explored major constraints regarding transport, key issues which lead to

violence and the responses of various actors (police, neighbors, transport authority/operators,

community leaders, etc.).

4.3.3 Qualitative and Quantitative Data interpretation Framework: Triangulation of DataIn this baseline survey, we have used both qualitative (e.g. FGD, KII) and quantitative (e.g.

questionnaire survey) methods. In situations where availability of numeric data is not

adequate or difficult to organize, we have used qualitative data.

18

Qualitative data (FGD, KII, CS) has been used to supplement quantitative data. Where there

are gaps, non clarity, and /or inadequacy identified from the quantitative survey, an attempt

has been made to address those through purposive qualitative survey. This qualitative back up

of quantitative data is essential for a deeper understanding of the dynamics of safety issues in

the cities of Bangladesh.

Triangulation is a powerful technique that facilitates validation of data through cross

verification from two or more sources. We have used triangulation of quantitative and

qualitative data- the purpose of triangulation is to increase the credibility and validity of the

results. This will allow for triangulation for a better cross match and supplement between

qualitative and quantitative data and to ensure that the different perspectives are understood

and represented in the analysis.

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Figure 1: Overall approach and methodology of the study

Baseline SurveySafe City Programme

Study Approach:

Quantitative Methods: Purposive

Qualitative Methods:

1. Survey of Women/girls2. Survey of men/boys

3. Secondary Data Compilation

1. Key Informant Interview (KII)

2. Focus Group Discussion (FGD)

3. Discussion with different stakeholders

Field Data Collection

Draft Report Dissemination & Feedback

Final Report

Data Analysis & Triangulation

Review of Existing

Literature, Documents &

20

5. Challenges and Limitations

A major limitation while covering different field areas was the fact that it took unusually

lengthy time in getting the relevant information from some of the locations. There were some

unexpected delays in initiating the field work which were beyond the control of the study

team. Again, there was unusual delay in getting relevant information from some of the

service providers (police, urban planners).As a result, the data processing, analysis, and

report preparation has been delayed.

However, the study team believes that significant information relating to the critical issues of

concern under the present study could be gathered from the field level data collection and

information gathering efforts to draw important conclusions. Logistically, the study was

managed excellently with whole hearted cooperation from the ActionAid Bangladesh, and

other relevant agencies and individual stakeholders.

21

Chapter 2

Socio-demographic Characteristics of Respondents

Data for this chapter mainly come from the field survey conducted in seven cities (six

divisional cities-Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barisal, Sylhet and Narayangonj

City). As already mentioned, the survey was conducted during mid-May to mid-June 2014

covering a total of 800 women and girls in the age group 15-59 years 200 men aged 18+

years and 200 boys below 18 years .

2.2 Socio-economic Profile of RespondentsTable 2.1 presents the salient characteristics of three categories of respondents-women, men

and boys. Out of 800 sample women, about a fifth (19.7%) belonged to age-group less than

20 years, 40.4 percent was in the age group 20-29 years, one fourth (25.4%) was in the age

group 30-39 years, while 14.6 percent of the women were aged 40 years and over. Similarly,

out of a total of 200 men who were interviewed, one-fifth (20.5%) of them were below 25

years of age, a quarter of them belonged to age group 25-29 years, one-fifth of them (20.5%)

were aged 30-39 years, another one-fifth (20.5%) belonged to 40-49 years, and 13.5 percent

of them were aged 50 years or older. The mean age of women respondents were 28 years,

compared to 34.4 years for men and 16.6 years for boys.

In terms of literacy and education, one-fifth of the women (19.5%) are either illiterate, or

without any formal schooling, 21 percent have completed elementary education with less

than 5 years of schooling. About a quarter of the women (24.3%) have secondary level

education with 6-9 years of schooling, another quarter of them have passed either SSC

(13.5% ), or completed HSC (12.4%) , while 9.4 percent have college level education

(beyond 12th grade). Similarly, 16 percent of the responding men are without any education,

slightly less than a fifth of the men (19%) have primary level schooling, a similar proportion

has 6-9 years of schooling, and 45.5 percent of them have completed either secondary level

education (15%), or HSC (15.5%), or have tertiary level education i.e. beyond HSC level

(15%). The educational pattern of boys is more or less similar with 2.5 percent of them

having no formal education.

Table 2.1: Distribution of Respondents by Socio-demographic Characteristics: By

gender

Characteristics

Respondent category

Women (n=800) Men (n=200) Boys (n=200)

No. % No. % No. %

Age

below 18 yrs 87 10.9 0 0 200 100.0

18-19 yrs 70 8.8 6 3.0

20-24 yrs 143 17.9 35 17.5

25-29 yrs 180 22.5 50 25.0

30-39 yrs 203 25.4 41 20.5

40-49 yrs 112 14.0 41 20.5

50+ yrs 5 0.6 27 13.5

Total 800 100.0 200 100.0 200 100.0

Mean 28.0 34.4 16.0

Education (years of schooling)

Illiterate/no formal education 156 19.5 32 16.0 5 2.5

1-5 years (Primary) 168 21.0 38 19.0 41 20.5

6-9 6-9 years 194 24.3 39 19.5 74 37.0

SSC 108 13.5 30 15.0 47 23.5

HSC 99 12.4 31 15.5 30 15.0

Above HSC 75 9.4 30 15.0 3 1.5

Monthly household income (TK.)

Up to 5000 50 6.3 11 5.5 9 4.5

5001-7500 137 17.1 34 17.0 30 15.0

7501-10000 133 16.6 35 17.5 41 20.5

10001-25000 320 40.0 80 40.0 80 40.0

25,000+ 160 20.0 40 20.0 40 20.0

Overall 800 100.0 200 100.0 200 100.0

There are major differences in the occupational pattern/activities in which men and women

are currently involved. It appears from table 2.2 that more than half (58 percent) of the male

respondents are engaged in either salaried job (26.5 percent) or business (19 percent), or petty

trading (12.5 percent); 17.5 percent of them are unskilled/wage labor. The occupational

category of females shows a heterogeneous mix of work activities and the corresponding

figure for female respondents is much lower at 8.4 percent (7 percent being involved in

23

salaried job and only 1.4 percent in business or petty trading).About a tenth (9.5 percent) of

female respondents are garments workers, 4.3 percent are working as domestic help, 2.5

percent are self-employed, 14 percent of them are students, while a vast majority of female

respondents are housewives (59.3 percent).

With regard to women’s involvement in income generating activities, it is evident that more

than half of the women are housewives. It needs to be emphasized here that housewives also

do a lot of work including taking care of children, cooking, washing, cleaning and taking care

of household members.

Table 2.2 Distribution of respondent by Occupation group: by Gender

Occupation groupFemales (>=15) Males (>=18 yrs)

n % N %

Service/salaried job 56 7.0 53 26.5

Business 2 .3 38 19.0

Small business 9 1.1 25 12.5

Wage/Casual labour 13 1.6 35 17.5

Self-employed 20 2.5 12 6.0

Garments worker 76 9.5 10 5.0

Housewife 474 59.3 0 .0

Domestic help 34 4.3 0 .0

Student 112 14.0 17 8.5

Others 4 .5 10 5.0

Total 800 100.0 200 100.0

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2.2.1 Household Income

Monthly income is considered to be an important indicator of poverty. With regard to

monthly household income, the findings from Table 2.1 show that about a quarter (23..4

percent) of female respondents live on a monthly household income, which does not exceed

Tk. 7,500, and about one-sixth of the women (16.6 percent) live on a monthly income

ranging between Tk. 7,501 to Tk. 10,000. Two-fifths (40 percent) of the women belong to

households having monthly income ranging between Tk 10,001- Tk.2,5000, by contrast, one-

fifth(20 percent) of the responding women have monthly income above Tk. 25,000.

Table 2.3 Distribution of Respondents by Economic Categories: by Gender

Economic CategoriesFemales Boys (<18 yrs) Men (>=18 yrs)

n % n % N %

Poor 320 40.0 80 40.0 80 40.0

Middle Class 320 40.0 80 40.0 80 40.0

Upper/Rich 160 20.0 40 20.0 40 20.0

Total 800 100.0 200 100.0 200 100.0

Table 2.4: Distribution of Respondents by Social Class: Self Perceptions

Social Class Female Boys (<18 yrs) Men (>=18 yrs)

n % n % N %

Extreme poor 102 12.8 12 6.0 15 7.5

Poor 239 29.9 66 33.0 60 30.0

Middle class 272 34.0 65 32.5 73 36.5

higher middle Class 72 9.0 20 10.0 25 12.5

Higher Class 115 14.4 37 18.5 27 13.5

Others 0 .0 0 .0 0 .0

Total 800 100.0 200 100.0 200 100.0

We have another indicator of social class/poverty in which respondents were asked to

categorize themselves in terms of social class vis-à-vis the respondent’s perception of

25

his/hersocial/economic status. The specific question asked was: “ which social class do you

think your household belongs to?”Five categories of socio-economic class are used:

(i) Extreme poor: (having difficulties in meeting family consumption needs for more than 6

months a year),

(ii) Poor: ( having difficulties in meeting family consumption needs for a significant part of

the year),

(iii) Middle Class: (Self-sufficient in food and somehow able to manage essential family

expenses);

(iv)Upper Middle Class:(living in good housing condition with decent income from salaried

job/business); and

(v) Upper Class/Rich: (Belonging to affluent category and leading luxurious life having own

house/flat, etc)

According to self perception of respondents, more than a tenth (12.8 percent) of the women

respondents belong to extreme poor category, 30 percent consider themselves to be poor,

more than two-fifths consider themselves to be either in middle class (34 percent) or in upper

middle class (9 percent), while 14.4 think that they belong to the affluent category. The

ratings by men and boys also show similar pattern.

On the basis of income and asset holding/consumption, we can divide the society of

Bangladesh into above-mentioned classes. Differences among these classes are large. Class

depends largely on economic differences between groups – differences in income and wealth,

possession of material goods and life chances. There are a number of ways to measure social

class and social scientists have different views about how we should measure it. Wealth and

income can be acquired in a number of ways. It is difficult to measure the wealth of the

people in Bangladesh because in most cases people are reluctant to reveal personal

information about their wealth.

26

2.2.2 Respondents’ understanding of the ‘Meaning’ of Violence at Public Places

Defining violence is extremely difficult. Part of the problem lies of course in the widespread

and indiscriminate use of terms such as “eve teasing”, “sexual harassment” as synonyms of

violence on the street because specialists would like to make subtle distinction. For our

purpose, violence in public spaces includes behaviour such as: Unwelcome sexually

determined behavior/ Sexually colored remark or gesture , Sexually colored verbal

representation; Demand or request for sexual favors; Showing pornography; Indecent

gesture, teasing through abusive language, jokes having sexual implication, Making love

proposal and exerting pressure or posing threats in case of refusal to love proposal.

On the question of their understanding of the meaning of ‘violence at public space’, it is

observed from Table 2.5 that according to the opinion of a vast majority of the both men and

women, the meaning of violence at public places includes such aspects like: ‘eve teasing”/

‘sexual harassment’, ‘derogatory comments’, ‘bad remarks/ sexually colored abusive

language’ etc. The findings imply that most of the respondents are aware of violence at

public places/on the street. However, a lesser proportion of the respondents are of the opinion

that violence at public place also includes other types of abuse like: harassment by bus

driver/conductors, harassment by male passengers, fear of being raped at public places etc.

Most of the women respondents hold the opinion that when they go out for their day-to-day

activities; a woman receives unkind and exploitative behaviour from society at large and

from male members.

Table 2.5: Respondents’ understanding of the meaning of violence at public places

(multiple response)

Respondent’s understanding

of violence at public place

Females Males(>=18 yrs)

n % n %

Eve teasing/sexual harassment 646 80.8 180 90.0

Dirty proposal from unknown

person497 62.1 105 52.5

Derogatory comments/teasing

through sexually colored

abusive language

614 76.8 141 70.5

27

Being Raped 197 24.6 57 28.5

Harassment by bus

contractor/driver257 32.1 88 44.0

Harassment by male passenger 156 19.5 26 13.0

Don’t know 3 .4 0 .0

Others 3 .4 3 1.5

2.3 Defining Sexual Harassment

According to Choudhury (2005), an operational definition of sexual harassment is as follows:

any repeated (depending upon the severity of the act) unsolicited, unwanted, unwelcome

behavior of sexual nature like physical contact or advances, a demand for sexual favors,

sexually colored jokes and comments on appearances, suggestive looks, gestures, showing

pornography, pornographic graffiti, and other unwelcome physical, verbal or non-verbal

conduct of sexual nature like character assassination, spreading rumors that may threaten a

woman’s career/job security, and create an intimidating, stressful and hostile environment

that is harmful to a woman’s physical and psychological health hampering her potentials. Of

these, rape is the most obvious and easily recognizable phenomenon. Indeed, to many people,

the term “sexual violence/harassment” is synonymous with rape.

In reply to the question, “whether the respondent consider eve teasing as violence against

women,’ an overwhelming majority (around 95%) of both women and men answered in the

affirmative (Table 2.6).From Table 2.7 it appears that in all the cities except Narayangonj,

more than 98 percent of the women respondents consider ‘eve-teasing’ as violence, while in

Narayangonj this proportion is 84 percent who consider eve-teasing as violence.

Table 2.6 Whether Respondents consider eve teasing as violence

Whether eve

teasing is

considered as

violence

Female Men (>=18 yrs)

N % N %

Yes 772 96.5 189 94.5

28

No 28 3.5 11 5.5

Total 800 100.0 200 100.0

29

Table 2.7 Whether Respondents consider eve teasing as violence: by City

Female Respondents by

City

Whether eve teasing is violence (%)Yes No

n % n %

Dhaka (n=200) 198 99.0 2 1.0

Chittagong (n=140) 138 98.6 2 1.4

Rajshahi (n=80) 79 98.8 1 1.3

Khulna (n=80) 79 98.8 1 1.3

Barisal (n=80) 80 100.0 0 .0

Sylhet (n=80) 80 100.0 0 .0

Narayanganj (n=140) 118 84.3 22 15.7

All (N=800) 772 96.5 28 3.5

It also emerged during FGDs, Sexually colored remark or gesture , Sexually colored verbal

representation; Indecent gesture, teasing through abusive language, jokes having sexual

implication, is the most common and frequent feature of eve-teasing/sexual harassment

suffered by women. This especially happens on the road, in market places, at educational

institutions.

30

Chapter 3

Type of Harassment/problems faced by women on the StreetInformation was collected on type of transport used by respondents and the nature of

harassment faced while on the street is analyzed in this chapter. The ultimate goal of this

chapter is to have an overall impression about the current safety situation for women and girls

in the community. The knowledge generated from the lived experiences of women and girls

is a key source of information.

On an average, females move out 5 days and males move out almost 7 days in a week. A vast

majority of respondents (61 percent of female and around 96 percent of male) are going

outside home almost 6 to 7 days in a week. Therefore, it is evident that relatively lesser

percentage of women is frequent mover as compared to men (Table 3.1).

Table 3.1: Distribution of Respondents by Frequency of going out: No. of Days in a

Week

No. of Days in a Week Female (N=800) Male (N=200)

One 1.9 .0

Two 5.9 .5

Three 8.1 .5

Four 12.1 1.5

Five 11.0 2.0

Six 36.6 27.0

Seven 24.4 68.5

Mean no. of days in a Week 5.3 6.6

Men and women have different travel patterns which are well recognized considering the fact

that women make shorter work trips, make greater use of public transport and make more

trips for the purpose of serving another person's travel needs. However, there is increasing

convergence in those travel patterns, at least at the aggregate level. Study reveals that while

going out, females and males are using almost similar mode of transport. The most

commonly used transports are rickshaw, local bus and CNG. Besides, a sizeable proportion of

males and females have to walk as a part of their travel to reach their desired destination

(Table 3.2).

Table 3.2: Distribution of Respondents by Mode of Transport used for Travel

Mode of Transport Females Males

Walking 91.8 93.5

CNG 31.1 39.5

Rickshaw 79.6 78.5

Local Bus 47.6 47.0

Sitting Bus 12.6 17.5

Laguna/Maxi/Tempo 24.1 15.0

Note: Multiple responses

3.1 Travel constraints faced by WomenFemales report facing different type of constraints during travel time that limit their frequent

movement. The major constraints reported by respondents include, “crowded/ difficult to get

into bus”, “bad behavior by Conductor/Driver”, “harassment by Male Co-passenger”, “eve

teasing/ sexual Harassment” and “mugging/snatching of bags” etc. The same set of

constraints is also reported by males when they mention about the barriers faced by women

during travel (Table 3.3).

Table 3.3: Travel constraints usually faced by women: Perceptions of Males and

Females

Constraints Faced Females (N=800) Males (N=200)

Crowded/ Difficult to get into bus 68.8 60.0

Bad behavior of Conductor/Driver 62.1 46.5

Harassment by Male Co-passenger 60.4 43.0

Eve teasing/ Sexual Harassment 52.1 51.0

Mugging/Snatching of bags/valuables

etc44.9 30.0

Others 3.9 2.5

Note: Multiple responses

32

Not only do women face travel constraints but they also face different type of harassments.

The nature and type of harassments differ with the mode of transport. While traveling by

rickshaw or CNG, most of the females (around 66 percent) report that more fare is demanded

when there are only women/children passengers; similar proportion mention that irrespective

of gender of passengers, excess fare is charged by the rickshaw puller or CNG drivers.

However, the highest proportion of women (around 69 percent) mention that they are

subjected to derogatory comments from rickshaw pullers or CNG drivers. Other constraints

include, fear of accident, mugging/Snatching of bags/valuables etc(Table 3.4).

Table 3.4: Type of Harassments faced by women while travelling by Rickshaw/CNG

Type of HarassmentFemales

Number (N=800) %

More fare demanded from women/ girls 523 65.5

Higher fare is demand from everyone 506 63.3

Not willing to go particular places/destination 232 29.0

Derogatory comments * 547 68.5

Fear of accident 287 35.9

Mugging/Snatching of bags/valuables etc 211 26.4

Others 7 0.9

* Note: Sexually colored remark targeted to women/adolescent girls.

3.2 Type of Harassment faced on the Street/in the Market placeWhile on the street, women face different type of harassments/insecurity. In the street,

passing derogatory comments is the most frequently reported harassment faced by women

(reported by 86 percent). In addition, a substantial proportion of women are subjected to

Sexually Colored jokes/abusive language (reported by 46 percent) , Physical contact/ Sexual

advances/deliberate push (reported by 24 percent) .At the same time, fear related to mugging

and accident also acts as major insecurity for women (Table 3.5). Findings also show that

there is no major variation in the type of harassment faced by women by city, that is, almost

similar proportion of women are subject to harassment across the seven cities.

33

Table 3.5: Type of harassment/ insecurity faced by Women in the street

Type of Harassment Number of

women(N=800)

%

Derogatory comments/unwanted behavior 689 86.1

Sexually Colored jokes/abusive language 369 46.1

Sexual advances/ Physical contact/deliberate

push193 24.1

Mugging/Snatching of bags/valuables etc 430 53.8

Fear of accident 311 38.9

Fear of being raped 70 8.8

Mental pressure 292 36.5

Others 7 0.9

Note: Multiple responses

Urban women are subjected to harassment not only in the street but also in the market or

shopping mall when they go out for shopping. During shopping in the market or shopping

mall, women report to have faced derogatory comments either by general people who come

for shopping (86 percent)or by shopkeepers/sellers (68.8 percent). Besides, one-half of the

women (48.9 percent) were subjected to sexually colored jokes/abusive language in the

market place. Fear of mugging also limits women’s free movement in the shopping mall-

this insecurity is reported by 78 percent of women (Table 3.6).

Table 3.6: Type of harassment/ insecurity faced by Women in the Market/ Shopping

mall

Type of HarassmentFemales

Number(N=800) %

Derogatory comments by general people 703 87.9

Fear of mugging/ hijacking 624 78.0

Sexually Colored abusive language 391 48.9

Derogatory/adverse comments by

shopkeepers/sellers550 68.8

Others 15 1.9

Note: Multiple responses

34

Chapter 4

Nature and Magnitude of Harassment Suffered by women

4.1 Magnitude and Frequency of ViolenceWomen were asked about their experience of sexual harassment/abuse in public place during

last three months. The findings show that an overwhelming proportion of women faced

derogatory/indecent comments–the proportion was as high as 84 percent. It is clear that

women were subjected to different forms of harassment during last three months. As

indicated in Table 4.1A, overall more than half of the respondent women reported that they

suffered “Physical contact/ Sexual advances/deliberate push” during the last three months.

Our FGD findings also show that women were subjected to all forms of harassment: from

ogling, winking, passing comments in the form of sexual innuendos, to touching, groping,

'eve-teasing', stalking, 'prank' calls, display of pornography, threatening and intimidation,

and unwanted 'love' proposals.

Table 4.1A: Women who faced harassment in last three Months: by type of

harassment

Type of Sexual Harassment

Women who faced

harassmentAverage

Number of

harassment

faced

Respondent’s

impression

about the age of

the perpetrator

(years)

Number %

Sexual advances/physical

contact/ deliberate push455 56.9 4.6 27.8

Dirty proposal from unknown

persons387 48.4 2.7 31.7

Derogatory

comments/sexually colored

abusive language

670 83.8 4.7 29.0

Others 6 0.8 1.5 26.7

Regarding the frequency of violence it is observed that on the average, a woman in the city

was subjected to sexual harassment (Physical contact/ Sexual advances/deliberate push) 4.6

times during last three months, including 4.7 incidences of derogatory comments, 2.7

incidences of dirty proposal from unknown persons, 2.8 incidences of harassment by bus

drivers and 3.0 incidences of harassment by male co-passengers. In general, the frequency of

harassment suffered by poor women was much higher, compared to women belonging to

middle and upper income group.

Table 4.1B shows the distribution of respondents by city who faced harassment during last

three months. It appears that there is some variation in the frequency and type of harassment

faced by women across the seven cities. From Table 4.1C it is evident that there are some

variations in the frequency and type of harassment faced by women by age of women.

Younger women are more vulnerable compared to women who are aged, which implies that

the chances of facing harassment is reduced with an increase in the age of the women. For

example, three-fourths of the women (75.8 percent) below 20 years of age were subjected to

sexual harassment (Physical contact/ Sexual advances/deliberate push) in last three months,

the corresponding figure was 44.4 percent for women aged 30 years and above.

Table 4.1B: Women who faced harassment in last three Months: by type of

harassment and by City

Type Of

Harassment

% Distribution of Female Respondents by City

Dhaka

(n=200)

Chittagong(

n=140)

Rajshahi

(n=80)

Khulna

(n=80)

Barisal

(n=80)l

Sylhet

(n=80)

Narayanganj

(n=140)

All

(N=800)

% % % % % % % %

Sexual

advances/physical

contact/deliberate

push

54.5 74.3 41.3 41.3 61.3 77.5 46.4 56.9

Dirty proposal from

unknown person58.0 61.4 10.0 57.5 63.8 46.3 30.7 48.4

Derogatory

comments/ sexually

colored abusive

language

91.5 95.7 52.5 98.8 100.0 83.8 60.7 83.8

Others 80.0 .0 .0 .0 .0 16.7 1.9 2.8

36

Table 4.1C: Women who faced harassment during last three months by type of

harassment: by age of women

Type of Harassment

Experience of violence by age of Women

Below 20 yrs

(n=157)

20-29 yrs

(n=323)

30+ yrs

(n=320)

All

(N=800)

% % % No. %

Sexual advances/physical contact/

deliberate push75.8 60.1 44.4 455 56.9

Dirty proposal from unknown

persons54.8 49.8 43.8 387 48.4

Derogatory comments/sexually

colored abusive language96.2 87.9 73.4 670 83.8

Others 0.6 0.9 0.6 6 0.8

4.1 Place and Time of OccurrenceRespondents were asked to give their opinion regarding the place where they suffered

violence. The findings from Table 4.2 suggest that women who faced sexual harassment

(Physical contact/ Sexual advances/deliberate push), 81 percent of them were subjected to

harassment on the street (while walking or passing through the road), and around one-tenth

suffered/faced harassment at the market place/shopping mall. Similarly, women who were

subjected to derogatory comments/abusive language/dirty proposal, around three-fourths of

them faced this while on the street, and about a tenth were victims at the market place. By

contrast, women who faced harassment by bus driver/conductor, a vast majority of them

(two-thirds) suffered while getting into or getting off from the bus, and one-fifth of them

suffered harassment while they were inside the vehicle. About the specific time of

occurrence, the majority of women faced these problems either in the early morning or in the

evening (after sun set) (Tables 4.2 and 4.3).

37

Table 4.2: Type of Harassment faced by Women in last three months: by Place of

Occurrence

Type of Harassment

Place of Occurrence

Road side/

while

walking

Getting

into/

getting off

from the

bus

Inside the

vehicle

/bus

At the

Bus

counter

/ ticket

counter

Market/

bazarPark

Public

toiletOthers

n % n % n % n % n % n % n % n %

Sexual

advances/physical

contact (n=455)

366 80.6 8 1.8 18 4.0 9 2.0 43 9.5 3 .7 2 .4 5 1.1

Dirty proposal from

unknown person (n=387)278 71.8 21 5.4 15 3.9 16 4.1 41 10.6 9 2.3 3 .8 4 1.0

Derogatory comments

(n=670)503 75.1 36 5.4 12 1.8 25 3.7 75 11.2 10 1.5 3 .4 6 .9

Others (n=6) 4 66.7 0 .0 0 .0 1 16.7 0 .0 0 .0 0 .0 1 16.7

Table 4.3: Type of Harassment faced by Women in last three months: by Time of

Occurrence

Type of Harassment

Time of Occurrence

Early morning Mid day Evening Night

n % n % n % n %

Sexual advances/physical

contact(n=455)198 43.5 122 26.8 111 24.4 24 5.3

Dirty proposal from

unknown person (n=387)98 25.3 104 26.9 142 36.7 43 11.1

Derogatory comments

(n=670)196 29.3 229 34.2 203 30.3 42 6.3

Others (n=6) 3 50.0 1 16.7 0 .0 2 33.3

Respondents were asked to give their impression regarding the age of the perpetrators who

are responsible for harassment/violence at public places. According to the opinion of the

38

respondents, most of the perpetrators are either in their late twenties or early thirties (falling

in the age range of 27 to 34 years, the last column of Table 4.1).

In the questionnaire survey, we did not ask the respondents about the occupation of people

(whether students, mastans, adult men) who are the main perpetrators. However, the FGD

participants were asked to give their opinion who are the main culprits responsible for

violence/harassment. The findings from FGD suggest that mastan, drug addict, students,

middle aged men, political cadre are the main perpetrators responsible for violence against

women at public place. However, it also emerged during in-depth interview that a small

minority of garments workers faced harassment from police.

4.2 Respondents’ Opinion about Specific City Areas having

higher RisksWith regard to particular spots in the city where the risk of harassment is higher,

footpath/road side emerged as the most vulnerable spot (reported by 85% of women and

77.5% of men), followed by bus/train terminal (mentioned by 66% women and 63% men),

market/shopping mall ( reported by more than half of the respondents), and park/recreation

centres etc (as mentioned by two-fifths of both men and women).

Table 4.4A: Respondents’ opinion about the particular spots in the City where the Risk

of Harassment is higher (multiple response)

PlacesFemale (>=15 yrs) Male (>=18 yrs)

N % N %

Footpath/ road side 681 85.1 155 77.5

Inside the public transport 381 47.6 101 50.5

Bus stop/train station/terminal 529 66.1 126 63.0

Market/ Shopping mall 414 51.8 116 58.0

Park 326 40.8 85 42.5

Others 22 2.8 16 8.0

39

Table 4.4B: Respondents’ opinion about the particular spots in the City where the risk

of harassment is higher: by city

Places

% Distribution of Female Respondents by City

Dhaka

(n=200)

Chittagong(

n=140)

Rajshahi

(n=80)

Khulna

(n=80)

Barisal

(n=80)

Sylhet

(n=80)

Narayanganj

(n=140)

All

(N=800)

% % % % % % % %

Footpath/ road side 92.0 76.4 83.8 90.0 97.5 67.5 85.0 85.1

Inside the public

transport52.5 45.0 66.3 22.5 7.5 65.0 60.0 47.6

Bus stop/train

station/terminal72.5 60.7 46.3 77.5 62.5 62.5 71.4 66.1

Market/ Shopping mall 44.5 68.6 68.8 26.3 46.3 62.5 47.1 51.8

Park 30.5 42.9 33.8 83.8 83.8 31.3 13.6 40.8

Others 6.0 .7 .0 .0 2.5 1.3 4.3 2.8

The findings from Table 4.4B show that the importance of particular location having higher

risk of sexual harassment also varies by city. For example, only a quarter of the respondents

in Khulna mentioned about shopping mall as having higher risk of facing harassment, while

two-thirds of the respondents in Chittagong, Rajshahi and Sylhet mentioned Shopping mall as

a place having higher risk of harassment.

4.3 Respondents’ Opinion about particular time of the Day

having higher RisksRespondents were asked to give their opinion “at what time of the day the risk of facing

harassment is higher?” In reply to the question, a vast majority of women are of the opinion

that there is no specific time of the day-the risk of facing harassment is always there.

According to the responses as summarized in Table 4.5A, women may face harassment at

anytime of the day (mentioned by 55% of women compared to 28.5% of men). However,

more than a third of women respondents (35.5%) and two-fifths of men( 39.5%) mentioned

that the risk is higher at night.

40

It appears from the findings of Table 4.5B that across the seven cities, there are some

variations about the time of the day when the risk is higher. For example, 70.7 percent of the

respondents in Narayangonj are of the opinion that the risk was higher at night, the

corresponding figure for Dhaka was 41.5 percent.

Table 4.5A: Respondents’ opinion about the time when the risk of harassment is higher

IndicatorFemales (>=15) Males (>=18 yrs)

N % N %

Day time 75 9.4 64 32.0

At night 284 35.5 79 39.5

Anytime/ Always 441 55.1 57 28.5

Table 4.5B: Respondents’ opinion about the time when the risk of harassment is

higher: by City_

Indicator

% Distribution of Female Respondents by City

Dhaka

(n=200)

Chittagon

g(n=140)

Rajshahi

(n=80)

Khulna

(n=80)

Barisal

(n=80)

Sylhet

(n=80)

Narayanganj

(n=140)

All

(N=800)

% % % % % % % %

Day time 13.0 6.4 28.8 2.5 5.0 11.3 1.4 9.4

At night 41.5 32.1 22.5 5.0 17.5 26.3 70.7 35.5

Any time/

Always45.5 61.4 48.8 92.5 77.5 62.5 27.9 55.1

4.4 Negative impact on the lives of WomenRespondents were asked whether sexual harassment or the fear of sexual harassment has any

adverse impact on the lives of women. An overwhelming majority of both women (90%) and

men (92%) think that it has got serious repercussion on the livelihoods and well-being of

women. In the questionnaire survey, we did not ask the respondents to specify about the type

of negative aspects sexual harassment/violence has on their mobility and productivity.

41

Table 4.6A: Whether any negative impact on employment/productivity of women due

to sexual harassment/violence in public place

Whether any negative

impact

Females (>=15) Males(>=18 yrs)

N % N %

Yes 721 90.1 184 92.0

No 79 9.9 16 8.0

Total 800 100.0 200 100.0

Table 4.6B: Whether any negative effect on employment/productivity of women due to

sexual violence/ harassment in the road: by City

Female Respondents by

City

Whether any negative effect (%)

Yes No

N % N %

Dhaka (n=200) 199 99.5 1 .5

Chittagong (n=140) 122 87.1 18 12.9

Rajshahi (n=80) 80 100.0 0 .0

Khulna (n=80) 78 97.5 2 2.5

Barisal (n=80) 80 100.0 0 .0

Sylhet (n=80) 65 81.3 15 18.8

Narayanganj (n=140) 97 69.3 43 30.7

All (N=800) 721 90.1 79 9.9

It emerged during FGDs that safety and security are very important issues not only because

they affect one’s mobility but also one’s productivity and sometimes, even life. During FGDs

with community leaders and women’s groups, participants mentioned that due to mobility

risk, boys are sent to far away schools that are good, but girls are sent to schools that are not

as good but are closer to home. Such discrimination affects their current education and future

potential. Because of fear of harassment/violence, women usually return home before dark,

which adversely affects their productivity and empowerment. Many school mothers have to

42

walk their children to school, as there are no buses that service certain routes, and as such

they cannot perform their household tasks on time.

4.5 Strategies normally adopted by women to get rid of

harassmentIn response to the question “what strategies are generally adopted by women/families to get

rid of sexual harassment”; the most frequently cited responses included (Table 4.7), :“avoid

going outside at night” (reported by 62.4%), “not going outside alone” (reported by

60%),“avoid visiting specific areas” (mentioned by 47.4%). Other responses include: “avoid

crowded place” (23.8%),“avoid lonely place” (26.9%), “avoid using public transport”

(13.3%), “avoid wearing colorful/fashionable dress” (21..9%), and “carrying equipment for

self defense” (2.9%). However, one- fourth of the women (24%) mention that they do not

follow any strategy because in their opinion nothing will help them, they will have to tolerate

and live with this kind of harassment.

Table 4.7: Strategies normally adopted by women/families to get rid of harassment

StrategiesResponses by Females

N %

Avoid specific areas 379 47.4

Not going outside alone 483 60.4

Avoid using public transport 106 13.3

Not going outside at night 499 62.4

Avoid crowded place 190 23.8

Avoid lonely place 215 26.9

Not wearing colorful/fashionable dress 175 21.9

Carry equipment for self defense 23 2.9

No need of doing anything/ there is no other

alternative but to tolerate harassment192 24.0

Others 20 2.5

Most women in our society have been subjected to some form of sexual harassment at some

point in their lives. Women who have to be in public places grimly 'accept' harassment as part

of their daily lives, facing it as soon as they are out of the house. Instead of demanding a

change in male behaviour, women are segregating themselves from their male counterparts,

43

sometimes by wearing hijab, as a defense mechanism. In spite of this horrific climate, there

are no national laws against sexual harassment. Findings suggest that sexual

harassment/abuse is almost ingrained in Bangladesh society.

4.6 Factors Affecting Security in Public place

Respondents were asked to specifically identify: “What are the major factors contributing to

insecurity in public place?”. They identified several risks (Table 4.8), namely: sexual

harassment (mentioned by 47.5% women and 35% men), inadequate street lighting

(mentioned by 39% women and 19% men), no women buses (mentioned by 36.8% women

and 25.5% men), fear of mugging/hijacking (mentioned by 38% women and 58.5% men),

lack of skilled police/inadequate police patrol (mentioned by 34.6% women and 45% men),

and lack of respect for women (as mentioned by 45.1% women and 18.5% men). It was clear

that women perceived these mobility risks more than men. Again, 35 percent men and 47.5

percent women identified eve teasing and harassment by touts as special risks for women.

Personal security risks were mentioned more by men than women- about 59.9 percent men

and 38 percent women identified mugging/hijacking by mastans.

Table 4.8: Respondents’ opinion about the factors contributing to the factors for

insecurity

FactorsFemale Man (>=18 yrs)

n % n %

Sexual harassment in public places 380 47.5 70 35.0

Not adequate lighting 313 39.1 38 19.0

inadequate number of buses 147 18.4 78 39.0

No bus exclusively for women 294 36.8 51 25.5

Lack of efficient/skilled police 277 34.6 90 45.0

Mugging/hijacking 304 38.0 119 59.9

Lack of respect for women 361 45.1 37 18.5

Weak management of public places 103 12.9 0 .0

Others 33 4.1 22 11.0

Sexual harassment/eve-teasing is the most common phenomenon which occurs in every hook

and corner of the city. It can cause severe mental pressure which results in psychological

44

trauma. Sexual harassment may result in violence like rape and acid throwing. Girls are often

restrained from going to school by parents. Families of the victims sometimes leave an area,

and the ultimate outburst can be suicide. In the year 2005, 6 girls committed suicide due to

fear from eve-teasers (BNWLA 2005).

4.7 Consequences of Sexual harassment/ViolenceMany women face impediments in the form of unsolicited sexual advances from students and

even teachers. From unwanted sexual remarks to forced sexual contact, these experiences

cause female students to feel insulted, uncomfortable, angry, and disappointed in their

academic life. In response, students avoid places on campus, drop classes, discontinue higher

education, are forced to get married by their parents, and may even become psychologically

damaged for the rest of their lives.

Despite protests and vigils, sexual harassment of women in streets goes on unabated. Most

common phenomenon is known as ‘eve teasing’, which consists mostly of verbal or gestural

teasing and in some cases even ‘sexual advances/ physical contact”. And it happens in public.

As there is no specific law against sexual harassment— the law enforcers and the society do

not recognize it as a violent act. Most of the time the term itself is a source of amusement, as

the name ‘Eve’ conjures up images of a temptress or seductress. Thus, when women become

victims of sexual harassment, it is not taken seriously by the society or even by the police.

Yet eve teasing/ sexual harassment can be as cruel and as violent as physical assaults. Young

women like Simi Banu of Narayanganj, Farzana Afrin Rumi of Khulna, Rumi of

Fatikchari and Trisha of Gaibanda have taken their lives in order to escape the relentless

sexual harassment by young loitering hoodlums.

4.8 Knowledge and Awareness regarding Important Issues

The shift in development thinking and practice towards people-centered programs and the

participation of people and communities in decisions concerning their own lives is creating

new opportunities for social change and the empowerment of women. Nevertheless, it is vital

to stimulate their awareness, involvement and capabilities further.

45

Different methods of communication can give a voice to women, thus enabling them to

articulate their own development agenda. Similarly, by fostering the exchange of knowledge

and information, communication can stimulate women’s awareness and motivation, allowing

them to take informed decisions on the crucial issues affecting their lives. Communication

can promote changes in attitudes and social behavior and help communities to identify

sustainable opportunities and development solutions that are within their reach.

Respondents were asked about their knowledge regarding laws related to sexual harassment.

About three-fifths of women and four-fifths of men said they know about this. However,

when they were asked to mention the specific laws, it was found that most of them have

vague ideas about laws with regard to sexual harassment (Table 4.9).

Table 4.9 : knowledge of respondents regarding law against sexual harassment

(multiple responses)

Whether KnowsFemales (>=15) Males (>=18 yrs)

n % n %

Yes 492 61.5 159 79.5

No 308 38.5 41 20.5

If yes, then what are the laws/rules against sexual harassment

Cannot specify 224 45.5 62 39.0

Imprisonment/jail 92 18.7 7 4.4

Severe Punishment 26 5.3 18 11.3

Police Case 7 1.4 9 5.7

Repression of Women and Children Act 138 28.0 64 40.3

Law regarding rape 17 3.5 3 1.9

Law regarding Acid Attack 44 8.9 3 1.9

Dowry Prohibition Act 8 1.6 5 3.1

Trafficking of Women and children 28 5.7 0 .0

Informal court/Shalish 7 1.4 0 .0

In order to make an assessment of knowledge and awareness of respondents towards

development related issues and support services for victims of violence, the present survey

asked questions like:

46

What are the different services available for victims of GBV. The data (Table 4.10) shows

that more than 80 percent of respondents are aware about the support services. When asked to

mention about type of services, the highest proportion reported “police help (81.6%)”,

followed by “legal help of court/adalat(68%)”, health care at govt. health facility (55.9%),

and informal shalish by ward commissioner(46.9%).

Table 4.10 Awareness regarding type of services available for survivors of sexual

harassment/violence

Whether KnowsResponses by Females

number %

Yes 651 81.4

No 149 18.6

Total 800 100.0

If yes, then what are the services

Govt. Healthcare center 364 55.9

Help of Thana/police 531 81.6

Legal help of court/adalot 443 68.0

Informal Shalish by ward commissioner 305 46.9

Local organization/Committee/samity/Club 114 17.5

Women’s Group 98 15.1

NGO 32 4.9

Others 5 .8

4.9 Measures Needed by the Government to Stop sexual

harassment

Respondents were asked about their expectation of support from the govt. to reduce sexual

harassment in public places. The findings from Table 4.11 show that most of the respondents

want strengthening of security measures ( reported by 88% of both men and women), a

similar proportion mention strict enforcement of existing laws ( reported by 88% of women

and 78% of men), provision of adequate street lighting was the third most important issue

( as mentioned by 72% of women and 45% of men). However, increasing the number of

police/patrol police was mentioned by two-thirds of both men and women, while about half

47

of women (48.9%) and a quarter of men (27.5%) advocated for new legislation to deal with

sexual harassment.

Table 4.11: Measures need to be taken by govt. to stop Sexual Harassment at Public Places

Suggested MeasuresFemales (>=15) Males(>=18 yrs)

n % n %

Strengthen Security 706 88.3 177 88.5

Provision of adequate street lighting 576 72.0 90 45.0

Increasing the number of patrol police 523 65.4 129 64.5

Strict enforcement of existing laws 706 88.3 157 78.5

Amendment of existing law/New legislation to address sexual harassment

391 48.9 55 27.5

Others 49 6.1 14 7.0

4.10 Opinion regarding the steps needed to make Cities Safe for

WomenAs emerged from the findings of the present study, most of respondents want to get rid of

harassment/abuse faced in public places. Respondents were asked to give their opinion

regarding the steps needed to make safer cities for women.

The three most important measures suggested by the respondents include: “Strict

implementation of existing laws” (reported by 70% of women as against 74% of men),

increasing the police patrol emerged as the second most important measure (as reported by

53% of women and 47% of men), while “increasing the number of buses/women buses” was

the the third most important measure (as reported by 46.4% of women and 45.5% of men).

Other measures suggested include: new legislation on sexual harassment, adequate street

lightings, and twenty four helpline at the police station(Table 4.12).

48

Table 4.12 Suggestions made by Respondents to make Cities Safe for Women

Suggested MeasuresFemales (>=15) Males(>=18 yrs)

n % n %

Strict enforcement of existing laws 561 70.1 149 74.5

New legislation to stop sexual harassment 358 44.8 76 38.0

Strengthen security system in market/park 318 39.8 65 32.5

Increasing the number of patrol police 423 52.9 94 47.0

Increasing the number of bus/ women bus 371 46.4 91 45.5

Constructing useable footpath 161 20.1 44 22.0

Better/ adequate street lightings 293 36.6 65 32.5

Reactivating Police control room/helpline

available for 24 hrs124 15.5 76 38.0

Others 39 4.9 16 8.0

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Chapter 5

Experience of Sexual Harassment and Help Seeking Behavior

An effort has been made in this section to understand the type of actions taken by women

when faced with sexual harassment. An interesting finding of the research is that a large

percentage of women (41 percent) reported confronting the perpetrator/culprit in some way or

the other (Table 5.1). This indicates a certain measure of self-confidence among women,

despite their persisting anxieties about security in the city. However, the data also shows that

one-half of the women (49.8 percent) do not do anything when they face sexual harassment at

public places. The findings imply that a significant proportion of women have no other option

but to suffer in silence when they experience harassment.

5.1 Reactions of Women after being harassedTable 5.1: Reaction of respondents after being harassed

Reaction Number (N=800) %

Nothing done/ suffer in silence 398 49.8

Instant Protest 330 41.3

Sought help from nearby people 369 46.1

Informed the family 434 54.3

Sought help from friend 291 36.4

Others 17 2.1

The helplessness of the respondents is further reflected in their responses to the question

“whether they have reported the incident anywhere for remedial measures after being

harassed.” Only an insignificant proportion (15.6 percent) of women who faced harassment

reported the incidents, while the remaining 84.4 percent did not report this any where to seek

redress against the injustice/harassment (Table 5.2).

5.2 Reporting after experiencing sexual harassment

Table 5.2: Whether reported anywhere after experiencing sexual harassment

Whether reportedFemales

Number %

Yes 49 15.6

No 621 84.4

Total 670 100.0

When asked about the reasons for not reporting, the various reasons mentioned by

respondents include (Table 5.3): “Dishonor for the family” (mentioned by 68.9

percent),“People will look down upon/condescending attitude” (mentioned by 76.3

percent),“Social stigma” (mentioned by 45.9 percent), “ No benefit from complaining / no

action taken” (mentioned by 46.5 percent), and “Reporting is a complex procedure”(mentioned

by 27.4 percent). The negative image of police among the public is so prominent that a

significant proportion of women (30.4 percent) said that they do not go for reporting about

their suffering because they are afraid of further harassment by the police.

Table 5.3: Reasons for not reporting after experiencing harassment

Reasons for not reporting Number

((N=621)

%

Dishonor for the family 428 68.9

People will look down upon/condescending

attitude

474 76.3

Social stigma 285 45.9

No benefit from complaining/ no action taken 289 46.5

Reporting is a complex procedure 170 27.4

Fear of further harassment by police 189 30.4

*Multiple responses.

5.3 Places where Complaint was madeThe survey reveals an acute lack of trust in the police by women respondents. Out of the 49

respondents who reported the incident of harassment, 30 of them (61 percent) went to

51

thana/police, while a much larger proportion (91.8 percent) reported to local

leaders/influential persons/ ward commissioners etc (Table 5.4). A lesser proportion went to

the police because they feared trivialization of the incident/issue by taking some form of

token actions only, rather than any effective steps to their violation. Since Local

Matbor/influential person and Ward commissioner plays an important role in handling issues

related to sexual harassment, for an overwhelming majority of respondents their only

recourse is this kind of informal sources/arrangement instead of legal action (the FGD

findings also support this).

Table 5.4: Place where reported after experiencing harassment (Multiple responses)

Place where reportedFemale respondents

Number (N=49) %Local Matbor/ influential person 45 91.8

Thana/police 30 61.2

Court/ adalot 10 20.4

Ward commissioner 31 63.3

Local Organization (Association/Club/samity) 15 30.6

Women’s Group 2 4.1

NGO 4 8.2

5.4 Outcome of reporting sexual harassmentRespondents were asked about the outcome of reporting after being sexually harassed.

However, respondents have mixed feelings about the result after reporting. Only 43 percent

of those women who complained about harassment got some results/remedial measures,

while 57 percent of them did not get any result whatsoever after making a complain (Table

5.5).

Table 5.5: Whether got any result/action after reporting

Whether Got any Result/actionFemale respondents

Number %

Yes 21 42.9

No 28 57.1

Total 49 100.0

52

Respondents who got some results/actions were asked whether they are satisfied with the

outcome. The respondents who reported about getting some result after their complain, most

of them are found to be reasonably satisfied about the outcome (63 percent), around 16

percent being highly satisfied, while 21 percent are not satisfied at all (Table 5.6).

Table 5.6: Respondents who got some results, whether they are satisfied with the

outcome

Whether Satisfied with the resultsFemale respondents

Number %

Highly Satisfied 3 14.3

Reasonably satisfied 13 61.9

Not Satisfied at all 5 23.8

Total 21 100.0

The respondents who reported about the incidence of harassment but did not get any result

were further asked about the reasons for not getting any result. The reasons as given by

women include:“Case given less importance( reported by 85.7 percent)”,“powerful

perpetrators/criminals (reported by 75 percent)”,“Difficult to prove/lack of evidence ( mentioned by 67.9

percent)”,“Huge Cost involved ( reported by 39.3 percent)”,and “lengthy process” ( reported by 25 percent

(Table 5.7).

Table 5.7: Reasons for not getting any result after reporting

Reasons for not getting any resultFemale Respondents

Number (N=28) %Case given less importance 24 85.7

Powerful perpetrators 21 75.0

Difficult to prove/lack of evidence 19 67.9

Lengthy procedure 7 25.0

Huge Cost involved 11 39.3

Others 2 7.1

*Multiple responses of 28 respondents who did not get the result.

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5.5 Image of Police in public eyeThe respondents were asked whether they have ever witnessed the police taking any action

against sexual harassment cases at public places. The evidence from Table 5.8 shows that

vast majority of the women (87.4 percent) have never witnessed any measure being taken

by police in the event of occurrence of sexual harassment at public space. The respondents

were further asked whether they would ask for police help in the event one of their family

members/friends being subjected to sexual harassment at public place. The findings as

presented in Table 5.9 show that merely 19 percent of women respondents answered in the

affirmative, while the remaining 81 percent said that they would never approach the police

for help in the event of sexual harassment cases at public places. The main reason behind this

is lack of trust in police.

Table 5.8: Whether the respondent has witnessed police taking any action against

sexual harassment cases at public places

Whether any police action takenFemales

Number %

Yes 101 12.6

No 699 87.4

Total 800 100.0

Table 5.9: Whether the respondent has ever thought of asking for help from police in

case of sexual harassment at public places

Whether thought of taking police helpFemales

Number %

Yes 150 18.8

No 650 81.3

Total 800 100.0

54

5.6 Barriers in Accessing ServicesWith regard to access to services, respondents were asked whether one has to face barriers in

the process of seeking help from the police. An overwhelming majority (95 percent) of the

women felt there were many obstacles which hinder them in approaching the police. (Table

5.10).

Table 5.10: Whether there are problems while seeking help from police

Regarding type of problems, the respondents were asked ‘what are the barriers/type of

problems people face while seeking help from the police’. The responses are summarized in

Table 5.11. About two-fifths (64.9 percent) of the respondents believed that the police would

blame the women rather than taking actions against the perpetrator and more than one-half

(57.2 percent) believed that the police would take the complain lightly and would not

prosecute the perpetrator. Similarly, more than one-third (36.6 percent) said the police would

merely perform a token service by recording the incident with no further action, and another

one-half are of the opinion that there would be no result from the complaint (53 percent),

about a quarter of the women are afraid of going to thana/police, while 12 percent of women

believed that there is the risk of further harassment by (Table 5.11).

Whether Problems in seeking

help

Female

Number %

Yes 760 95.0

No 40 5.0

Total 800 100.0

55

Table 5.11: Type of problems /barriers usually faced by women in seeking help from

police

ProblemsFemales

Number (N=760) %

Blaming of the women 493 64.9

Take the complain lightly 435 57.2

Afraid of going to Thana/police 210 27.6

Lengthy and complex process 135 17.8

No result from complaining 403 53.0

Police just record the case/incident, but don’t

take any effective step278 36.6

Dishonor for self and family 142 18.7

Risk of further harassment by police 94 12.4

Others 45 5.9

5.7 Community awareness/response to sexual harassmentThe respondents were asked what would be their reaction if they themselves witness other

women or girls being harassed in public places. Four-fifths (80.1 percent) of women said they

would try to help the victim, a similar proportion (81.1 percent) said that they would request

other people to come forward for help, while half of the women (49.9 percent) said they

would approach the police. However, a fairly large percent (15.6 percent) would prefer not to

get involved in this type of unpleasant things, they will just ignore/keep silent (Table 5.12)

Table 5.12: What would be the reaction of respondents in the event of a woman/girl

being harassed at public space (multiple response)

Reaction of RespondentFemales

Number (N=800) %

Will assist the victim 641 80.1

Will request other people to help 649 81.1

Will call the police 399 49.9

Won’t do anything/ better not to get involved 125 15.6

Others 23 2.9

56

Respondents were asked to give their opinion about the “reaction of community/ nearby

people in the event of a girl/woman being harassed at public places”. The responses, as

summarized in Table 5.13, show that one-half of both women (50.6 percent) and men (50

percent) are of the opinion that nearby people will remain silent preferring not to be involved

in such situations and would keep themselves away. However, slightly less than a half of both

women (48.3 percent) and men (48 percent) are of the opinion that nearby people will come

forward to help in the event of a woman being harassed at public place and they will support

the victim by resisting the culprit/perpetrator, while 23 percent of women and 31 percent of

men are of the opinion that nearby people will call the police for help.

Table 5.13: Respondents’ opinion about what would be the reaction of nearby people in

the event of a woman/ girl being sexually harassed at public places

Reaction of nearby People

Female (>=15yrs) Male (>=18 yrs)

Number

(N=800)

% Number

(N=200)

%

Will remain Silent/No

Response405 50.6 100 50.0

Will resist the

perpetrator/culprit386 48.3 96 48.0

Would take it as a fun/ enjoy it 298 37.3 78 39.0

Come in a group to protest 334 41.8 90 45.0

Will Call the Police 185 23.1 62 31.0

Others 23 2.9 9 4.5

57

Chapter 6

Focus Group Discussion and Case Studies

Section A: Findings from Focus Group DiscussionA total of 21 FGDs were conducted: 7 with women belonging to poor group, 7 FGDs with

non-poor women and another 7 FGDs with community leaders. There were 8-10 participants

in each of the FGDs. Open questions and answers formed the main areas of discussions. The

discussion was initiated by briefly explaining the context: what are the constraints faced by

men and women in public spaces, what is the attitude of males/ community people toward

violence in public place, nature and extent of harassment faced by women/girls, etc.

A.1 Issues emergedThe following issues emerged from the FGDs:

Women are working outside the home in larger numbers, but they

often have fewer livelihood opportunities and they face various

problems when they go outside their homes

Women face constraints with regard to their access to public transport,

and they enjoy very little autonomy while they travel.

Sexual Harassment/ abuse against women is widespread.

Women also face insecurity in the event of making complains against

violence

Some of the girls/women endure extreme insecurity on their way to

workplace/schools/shopping place

A.2 Problems regarding SecurityWhen FGD participants were asked to specifically identify: “What are the mobility risk for

women while traveling?” They identified five risks, namely: accidents, fear while crossing

the road, mugging/hijacking, eve teasing and harassment and difficulty to get on to

bus/crowded bus. It emerged during FGDs that women perceived these mobility risks more

than men. Road Accident is considered to be the major risk for both men and women.

However, more women than men identified eve teasing and harassment by touts as special

risks for women. Two major issues were featured under this category: personal security and

accidents. Those walking to work are more prone to sexual harassment and accidents than

those using buses/rickshaw/CNG.

A.2.1 Cultural Constraints Cultural constraints become less when women are employed in gainful jobs. The cultural

constraints of commuting as obtained from FGD are: (1) women are often not allowed to get

in the crowded buses because women cannot get a seat as men often occupied women’s seats,

(2) bad behavior of transport operators, co-passengers and pedestrians, and (3) eve

teasing/sexual harassment of young women commuters. Laughing at and making indecent

remark by local touts is also a widespread cultural constraint.

A.2.2 Institutional Constraints Among the commuting constraints, institutional constraints had the largest and widest gender

dimension to commuting. Institutional constraints has been grouped into following three

groups: accessibility, security and affordability constraints. Furthermore, accessibility

constraints have been grouped into following groups: (i) general access constraints, (ii)

transport access, and (iii) pedestrian’s access constraints.

A.2.3 Accessibility ConstraintsExcept for general accessibility constraints, all other constrains are more important for the

dissatisfied female commuters as compared to male commuters. Thus gender dimension of

commuting constraints is conspicuous. Most of these constraints remain even when women

are employed and when they move to a higher income group. Moreover, except general

accessibility constraints, all other commuting constraints were perceived significantly more

by employed women than their male counterparts. Accessibility constraints are perceived as

reasons for dissatisfaction by a large number of both male and female FGD participants.

General accessibility constraints include congestion, unplanned and poor traffic system,

crowdedness, narrow roads, one way roads, dirty and damaged roads and streets, potholes on

the roads and streets, unplanned car parking, air pollution, sound pollution etc.

(i) General Accessibility Constraints.

General accessibility constraints include congestion, unplanned and poor traffic

system, crowdedness, narrow roads, one way roads, dirty and damaged roads and

streets, potholes on the roads and streets, unplanned car parking, air pollution, sound

pollution etc. Male participants/ community leaders reported all types of these

constraints more than female participants. Significantly more male participants than

female participants reported the constraints of congestion as the dominant reason for

59

their dissatisfaction regarding the present transport system in City. Thus, this

constraint has positive gender dimension. The only general constraints, which has

distinct negative gender dimensions are, dirty and damaged footpaths/lack of

footpaths/potholes/lack of foot over bridge. When compared with the situation in the

past, participants mentioned that all these general constraints, particularly congestion

and air pollution has increased significantly overtime.

(ii) Transport Access Constraints.

Gender dimension of accessibility constraints become more conspicuous when the

modes of commuting are taken into consideration since constraints of accessing to

different modes of commuting are different. More male commuters than female

commuters mentioned constraints affecting access to motorized transport, which

consist mainly of bus transport as the main reasons for their dissatisfaction. Crowded

buses/shortage of buses has ranked topmost as transport accessibility constraint for

both men and women. This is followed by pedestrian’s constraints. Although women

rank shortage of rickshaws as their third problem, but men rank too may cars on the

road as the third constraints. Non-motorized transport include mainly rickshaw, cycle

van and walking. Shortage of rickshaws and unwillingness of the rickshaw pullers to

go due to ban on main roads etc., were the main accessibility constraints for non-

motorized transport and significantly more women than men suffered from both

these constraints.

Participants also mentioned that due to rickshaw being off-road, middle-income group

women have changed their travel mode to bus ‘braking the cultural barrier’ of female

seclusion. It has also been mentioned that sitting bus services, with too much of congestions

are not affordable for low-income groups.

Walking as the dominant mode of mobility for the residents living in the slums is losing its

importance. Dirty and damaged footpath, potholes, and lack of FOB, mugging and

kidnapping are the main constraints of pedestrians. Majority of the FGD participants are of

the opinion that over the last ten years, not much has been done in the City in terms of

construction of new footpaths, widening and cleaning of footpaths, construction of foot over

bridges, adequate street lighting etc. All these have a negative impact on making commuting

by walking comfortable. Commuters perceived there has been no improvement in security

60

while walking, as there has not been any appreciable decline in mugging, harassment and

kidnapping.

A.2.4 Safety and Security ConstraintsLack of safety and security of travel is a major constraint, which affect female commuters

much more significantly than male commuters. Safety and security are very important issues

not only because they affect one’s mobility but also one’s productivity and sometimes, even

life. A relatively low percentage of male respondents are affected by the safety/security

constraints of travel. More women than men perceive almost all types of safety/security

constraints, including unsafe crossings, mugging, eve teasing/harassment etc., as constraining

their mobility. Unsafe road crossings constitute an important safety constraint for both men

and women. Eve teasing/harassment is reported to be a travel constraint solely for women.

A.2.5 Affordability Constraints Affordability constraints included higher fare of bus, auto-rickshaw and rickshaw. All these

fares have been rising steadily overtime. Recently, the government has increased bus fare

after hiked price of fuel by a huge margin. But the bus operators are asking more fare than the

rate fixed by the government. Under such circumstances, affordability is a severe constraint–

as high fare of rickshaw affected women more severely than men. Although higher bus fares

affect the largest percentage of women commuters, the difference between the effects on

female commuters and male commuters is the worst in case of higher rickshaw fares.

A.3 Voice of FGD participantsThe FGD participants mentioned that transport facilitate mobility and thus results in women’s

empowerment. According to the participants, women are empowered if they could move

freely without obstacle; but they could not do so due to the lack of security. Improvement and

maintenance of roads are important, as it affects women’s health. Physically, women are

more disadvantaged than men. Their reproductive health is also jeopardized by the bad road

conditions, especially when pregnant women use rickshaws. Pollution affects women more,

as fewer resources are spent on women in families for health. After illness, care is also

lacking, so women are also more affected by pollution than men.

The FGD participants mentioned that the transport patterns of males and females are different

since the same advantages do not exist for males and females in our society due to social

cultural religious, historic and other reasons. Women need to think about when they will go

out, what mode they will use, how long it will take to commute, how they will get back, how

61

long it will take to get back, etc. Women often face severe harassment while waiting for

transport, boarding and getting off from bus.

Due to mobility risk and insecurity, boys are sent to far away schools, but girls are sent to

schools that are not as good but are closer to home. Such discrimination affects their current

education and future potential. Because of fear of insecurity, women usually return home

before dark. Women travel shorter distances via rickshaw due to lack of good

sidewalks/footpaths. Taxi-cabs/CNG auto-rickshaws are often unwilling to go, they charge

double or triple fare if passengers include children. Weather and traffic are both factors that

affect the time it take the RMG workers including other law paid workers to get to work or

return home. Damaged roads and sidewalks filled with hawkers make the commute more

difficult for them. Many school mothers have to walk their children to school, as there are no

buses that service certain routes, and there are often no suitable sidewalks to commute either.

Bus routing is also very difficult for those who travel far to send their children to school, as

they have to switch buses to get to their destination.

Most of the FGD participants mentioned that differences exist in travel patterns between

women and men, majority felt that there should be reserved seats for women on buses,

especially given the socio-cultural background of the country. A few participants even were

willing to consider the option of having women only buses on certain routes, especially

during peak travel time. Some mentioned that women travel less at night due to security

concerns.

Most of the FGD participants are of the opinion that bus conductors/helpers frequently harass

women. Citizens could play an important role in improving transport and mobility by

increasing their awareness, maintaining discipline in walking and avoiding jaywalking.

Behavioral change of all stakeholders is required. Sidewalks are very important for low

earning groups. Smooth pavements and streetlights ensure safety and security. The middle-

income group that could afford rickshaws prefer using them and are not used to walking.

Those who walk in general cannot afford rickshaws. Mobility could be improved by quality

footpaths, with sufficient width, which are environment friendly with sufficient light and

security/ police patrol. Law enforcement is a must to improve security and to keep vendors

and muggers off the roads. Awareness campaigns are necessary and so is enforcement at

intersections.

62

On the issue of access, safety and security in transport, the FGD participants mentioned that

the existing system is not access-friendly for women. Security points are lowest in the

transport system for women, the system does not support comfort or security of women and

affordability depends on the income group of women. Road planning must be done first

instead of last. People build houses first, and then the city corporation comes in and builds

roads. Urban planning and transport planning needs to be coordinated.

Travel Constraints Faced by Women in the City: motorized Transport Cultural Constraints Institutional Constraints.

Women do not travel in crowded bus Behavior of driver ad conductors are

not women friendly Commuters have to get down from

running bus Women are considered as slow

movers. Women take more space as culturally

men and women do not sit side by side

There are few reserved seats for women and often men do not leave these seats reserved for women

Buses refuse to take women when the reserved seats are occupied

Women only buses are unsuccessful as women often traveled with male escort.

Conductors do not want to give change and hence women are charged more

Conductors usually put a hand at the back of a woman while alighting from the bus.

Lack of access to bus services Inadequate bus services Information on bus timing and routes

are lacking Long waiting time and long queue Infrequent women only bus services Infrequent stoppages Lack of bus sheds Bus has one door and conductor

stands on the door Seats by the side of the driver are too

hot No bus for schools/colleges No transport facilities at

work/factoriesLack of affordable transport

Women and men who cannot afford to travel by motorized vehicle have to walk

CNG/ auto rickshaw charges high price, especially for short distance.

Time constraint Due to high transport cost mothers

wait at school and cannot perform their multiple role productively

Lack of safety Personal security

Crowded buses are unsafe more for women than men

Drivers and conductors are not gender sensitive

Road safety Drivers compete with each other

which causes accidents Drivers lack training on regulations.

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Travel Constraints Faced by Women in the City: Non-motorized Transport Cultural Constraints Institutional Constraints.

Women got deliberate push by men while walking

More than half of the garment workers/low paid workers and students faced harassment by local touts while walking

Institutional ConstraintsLack of access

Footpaths are absent Footpaths are narrow, dirty and occupied Secondary road (lanes) are full of potholes

and are uncomfortable Lack of affordable transport

Rickshaw charges higher fare for short distance

Low income men and women cannot afford Rickshaw/CNG

Time constraint Walking is a time consuming mode Foot over bridges are a detour and time

consuming mode Due to higher transport cost mothers wait

at school and cannot perform their multiple role productively

Lack of safety Personal security

Physical safety is a major issue for women while commuting

Commuting by non-motorized mode at night are considered unsafe by both men and women

Women and girls do not use foot over bridges (FOB) as they are inconvenient and unsafe.

Underpasses are unsafe for both men and women

Pedestrians and commuting by rickshaws on secondary roads are more prone to mugging

Lack of street lights on secondary roads (lanes) causes mugging

Road safety Frequent digging of road and footpath due

to lack of coordination among government agencies causes inconvenience/accidents

Lack of pedestrian crossing (zebra crossing) causes accident

School vans are unsafe for children.

According to the FGD participants: A safe city for women and girls is a city where women

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and girls can enjoy public spaces and public life without fear; a city where there is no fear of

violence/harassment on the street; a city where women and girls can move freely (and

without fear) for going to schools/colleges, or travelling to their office/ work place, visiting

market places, etc.

Empowerment

Safety on the street facilitates mobility and thus results in women’s empowerment. All

respondents agreed that safe city empowers women as it gives women the ability to travel

alone, the ability to choose mode of travel (rickshaw, scooter, cab or bus) and ability to

choose travel time. They could decide on their own, which facilitates their empowerment.

They could go to the hospital to see ill people, visit relatives, go to schools, office, etc.

According to women FGD participants, women are empowered if they can move freely

without obstacle; they would not do so if there is lack of security.

Safe city / Safe urban areas imply - women have easy access to all public facilities and

women can move and live without fear of sexual harassment in both public and private

spheres. There is a strong legal, political, social and cultural commitment and assurance to

ensure a violence free city.

It emerged during group discussion with both women and community groups that their safety

can be ensured through ensuring security in living place and on the street where there are no

disturbances in road, no eve teasing, no verbal abuse, no unwanted touching, no rape etc.

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Section B: Findings from Case StudiesSelected Case Studies

To explore the problems and harassment women face at public places and to reveal the

underlying causes/reasons, we have prepared several case studies of women belonging to

different socio-economic classes based on our in-depth interview and intensive fieldwork. We

shall present as case studies the experiences of a few women/girls belonging to different age

groups and having different occupations. All the case studies are based on major happenings

as they occurred to the women. Information provided by the girls/women was sometimes

crosschecked by discussing with other people to ensure validity and reliability of the

information provided. With this introduction, we shall present our case studies one by one.

Case Study 1: Rajia had to stop going to school because of sexual harassment

Amena, a garment worker in her early forties, spoke about significant violence in the form of

verbal abuse and sexual harassment that her daughter had been exposed to in the past. Rajia,

Amena’s daughter, is a young girl of 16 years of age . She completed fourth grade at the

primary school but had to stop her studies because of sexual harassment by a notorious boy

from the same neighborhood. Now she is working with her mother in the same garment

industry.

Amena informed that her daughter was very good at study. Her grades were satisfactory in

each class. When she entered class four, one of the boys from the locality started disturbing

her- in the form of following her wherever she goes and making lewd jokes whenever he got

a chance. One day the boy stopped Rajia on her way to school and told her that he was deeply

in love with her and he wanted to develop affair/relation with her. It was so shocking and

embarrassing for Rajia that she came back home and informed her mother about this. Amena

talked to different sections of local people and learnt that the the perpetrator was well-

known in the locality as a kind of mastan who always ran after girls and had been responsible

for abusing/harassing several girls in that locality.

Amena got really concerned after hearing this and talked with the head of the slum for a

solution. He assured Amena that he would look into the matter but nothing visible happened

as the boy’s father was quite rich and influential. Hence, nobody dared to take any stand

against the boy fearing retaliation from his father.

Then Amena and her husband sent Rajia to her grandmother’s house from where she started

going to school again. Things were going on smoothly for a few days but within a month

after leaving the locality, Rajia figured out that the boy was following her again at her

grandmother’s place. Rajia informed her mother about the recent developments and the type

of insecurity she had been facing. Then her parents decided to take her back home and she

was not allowed to go to school again. With tears in her eyes, Amena said:

My daughter had to stop going to school for no fault of her own. She was

doing fine academically but we had to withdraw her from school because of

harassment/abuse by the son of a powerful local man. We were afraid of her

security and nobody did anything to help us and our daughter.

Rajia is now working in the garment factory with her mother. Amena maintains that now she

feel relieved about her daughter and there is no worry and anxiety about her daughter’s

safety. Her daughter is now working with her and Amena is relieved of the constant anxiety

and fear about her daughter’s safety.

When asked whether she sought help from local elites or police, she said initially she

knocked at every door for justice-the ward commissioner, local leaders, influential people-but

nobody came forward when they came to know about the boy’s identity. With regard to

police help, Amena maintains:

The police never does anything for the poor, they are always with the rich and

the powerful. I don’t have money or connections, so the police will not take

our case seriously. Moreover, if the boy’s family knows that we have gone to

the police for help, they will make our lives miserable. Thinking of possible

repercussions from the boy’s family, we have abandoned the idea of going to

the police. Because, in Bangladesh justice is negotiable, if you can’t give

bribe, you won’t get justice.

Amena put forward the suggestion of setting up an informal community group, some kind of

‘Watch Dog’ Committee in each area which will take appropriate action at the community

level in the event of abuse/harassment of girls/women. This will work as a pressure group and

the perpetrator will face pressure from different tiers of the community.

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Case Study 2: Sexual harassment on the way to tutorial homeSaleha, a teen-aged girl from Barisal, a student of intermediate first year, narrated her

experience:

One evening I was going home from my tutor’s house. Normally my brother

or other male relative accompany me whenever I leave home or come back

from the tutor’s house. But on that day no one was there with me. I was alone,

the sun was about to set and there were not many people on the street.

However, there were some boys who were joking amongst themselves and

giving me furtive looks. I became afraid and was passing by them slowly. They

started uttering dirty words including obscene body movements. But I just kept

mum and walking slowly.

Then suddenly one of the boys stood up, came to me, he put his arms around

me and said, “ Hi, sweat heart! You are the prettiest girl in the world. This

made me really angry. I shouted at him for holding my shoulder and told him

to behave himself. I was shocked because that happened really suddenly .I felt

bad and so uncomfortable standing on the footpath. I was so stunned, I did not

know how to react.

But the boy gave a damn to my anger and became really nasty. He said,

“I want to marry you”..I was so stunned, I did not know how to react. I felt bad

and so uncomfortable standing on the footpath. I was really afraid and

politely told him to remove his hand from my shoulder.

The other boys were enjoying my harassment and they started laughing at me.

Finally, the boy let me go and I left the place being embarrassed and

humiliated. I did not tell anybody about his except my mother. My mother

became really concerned and told me not to share this with anybody else.

After that I never went to the tutorial home alone, if there is no one to

accompany me, I avoid going to to the tutorial home.

Case Study 3: School going mother being harassed on the way Farida, a good looking woman in her late thirties, goes to her daughter’s school by bus. After

dropping her daughter at the school gate, she comes back home to perform her household

tasks. Farida described her unpleasant experience as follows:

One day when I was returning home by bus, a man with spotted face and

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suspicious look was trying to push me from the back. The bus was over

crowded and there was no seat available, although the ladies’ seats were

occupied by male passengers. I was standing with other male passengers and

the notorious man tried to push me hard, I had nothing to do but to endure it.

Because there were so many standing passengers, nobody would listen to my

complain. After a short while I got down from the bus. But to my horror I

found that the man also got off from the bus. Initially I thought that it might

be his destination also but then I noticed that the man was, in fact, following

me.

It was during 8 am and there were many people on the road. So I stopped,

looked at the man and asked him “What is your problem? Why are you

following me?” The man said, “nothing to be worried about, he just wanted to

have my phone number so that he could talk to me anytime he wanted. I was

shocked and surprised at his audacity and told him to leave the place

immediately, or otherwise, I would call the police and complain against him.

But the man did not seem to be concerned at all; he said that he had not done

anything bad, the police won’t take it seriously and he cannot be implicated.

Farida maintains:

Sometimes I have to wake up as early as 5 am to prepare breakfast, wake up

my daughter and get her ready, and leave home by 6-30 am so that we can

reach my daughter’s school on time ( her classes begin at 7-30 am). I am

always afraid of risks of rape and sexual harassment when I leave home for

my daughter’s school.

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Case Study 4: A Poor woman, a petty trader, being harassed while in the bus Latifa, a young woman of 30 years of age, who is a petty trader in Khulna shared her

experience in the following words:

I have to travel by bus every day. The bus is always crowded and most often I

have to sit with male passengers. One day I sat beside a man aged about 45

years. Within minutes, the man put his hand on my leg and gave me a piece of

paper containing his cell number. I did not say anything but gave him a blank

look. But he gave a damn to my anger and tried to push me and touch my

breast and other sensitive parts. I told him to stop these nuisance and shouted

at him. But he did not utter a single word as if nothing had happened. Other

passengers who were around me could easily understand what was happening

and why I was angry with him. But neither any passenger said anything, nor

did the bus conductor came forward to help me. The overall attitude of others

was that it was none of their business, because they had not been affected

personally. I was really shocked at the indifferent attitude of other passengers.

Both Latifa and Farida maintain:

The absence of legislation and the laxity in implementation of existing

legislation affects our life. Women like us constantly face various kinds of

sexual harassment in public places like streets, markets, parks, bus stops and

on different public transports. Harassers are male travelers, as well as drivers

and conductors. Although the problem of sexual harassment is widespread, the

community in general does not take it seriously and has a tendency to ignore

this. It is considered as a normal part of city life, and people in general have

an indifferent attitude towards eve-teasing/sexual harassment at public

places.” There is an urgent need for raising community awareness against

normalization of sexual harassment at public places.

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Case Study 5: A Garment worker being subjected to violence/harassment on the streetSalma, aged about 22 years, a garment worker, narrated her story as follows:

One day when I was returning home on foot after doing my overtime work at a

garments factory at Shewrapara, I was stopped by two young men on my way.

It was about 10 pm. They reached me and asked me why I was there. I told

them that I am returning from my work. I had only Tk. 50 in my purse. One of

the men brought out the money from my purse and kept the money in his

pocket. I did not dare to protest against it because I was taken by surprise. I

politely told them to return my money. But they became ferocious and said that

they won’t let me go, rather they would have fun and spend the night with me.

Before I could understand anything, one of them caught hold of my hand and

asked me to walk with them. It was a terrifying experience, I did not

understand what to do and to make matters worse the footpath was lonely with

inadequate lighting. When I said I won’t accompany them, they started

pushing me, tightly holding my hand. I thought of shouting and calling the

public, but immediately I abandoned the idea, because I was afraid they might

have knives/razor/weapon with them. I was about to collapse.

Then suddenly I saw one of my cousins crossing the road. I started shouting,

calling his name. He looked for me, I raised my other hand. My cousin saw me

and started coming towards me. In the meantime, the two criminals turned me

free and left the place quickly. But before that they lashed my back twice and

threatened me they would teach me a lesson next time if they found me alone.

Since then, I have abandoned that footpath, especially at night; the horrifying

experience is still haunting me.

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Case Study 6: A Garment worker being abused/harassed by policeOne garment worker, Sabiha, aged 19 years , said:

The police mistreat the garment workers most. One day a policeman wanted to

rape a garment worker . When she refused to go to bed with the police, then

she was arrested by the police on charge of being engaged in prostitution and

alluring clients for sex trade. This is how the police, with the help of their

uniform, exploit and abuse poor girls like us. The police in general mistreat

the garment workers, but mostly the teen-aged girls. However, some

policemen are good and they do not mistreat us. But their proportion is quite

insignificant. The majority of the police are devilish in nature and they abuse

us, want our phone numbers and scold us whenever we refuse to yield to their

demand for physical relation.

Case Study 7: A street girl being abused/harassed by policeOne street girl, Moyna, aged about 17 years, who is a flower seller said:

One day when I was selling flowers near the Parliament house (Sangsad

Bhaban), a police constable made me run and warned me not to sell flower

there any more. When I tried to argue with him, he asked me to give him Tk.

20. The police allowed me to continue my work as a flower seller when I

agreed to pay the police Tk. 20 everyday.

With utter disgust, the girl continued:

The police are in fact damned venal. Every day they take a bribe of Tk. 20 like

tax from every street grocer in and around Sangsad Bhaban. We pay them

because we don’t have any other alternative. If we refuse to pay them the

bribe money, they will harass us in all possible ways or implicate us in false

cases.

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Case Study 8: A domestic help being abused/harassed by mastans/drug addictsOne domestic help, Bilkis from Rajshahi, who is in her late thirties, has been facing sexual

harassment and other form of violence from different sections of people. She described her

experience in the following words:

Once when returning home from my master’s house in the evening, I was

accosted in the street by a man, who was a complete stranger. Before I could

understand anything, he embraced me and started kissing. In a low voice he

said he would give me Tk. 200 if I go to bed with him. When I started shouting

for help, the man left me and ran away. It was so terrifying and shocking, I

generally avoid that road when I am alone.

Bilkis has been subjected to other type of violence, as she maintains:

One day I was returning home from my employer’s house. It was about 8 p.m.

But a gang of four persons/drug addicts near the station caught me. They

snatched all the money (Tk. 100) I had with me. I told them that I was badly in

need of the money, I would buy rice and vegetables for myself and my

daughter but they did not return the money. I had to go home empty handed,

and my daughter had to starve.

Case Study 9: The story of a rape victimRabeya, a garment worker in Dhaka, narrated the story of her friend Golapi, a recent

migrant to the city, who was raped on her way to the cinema hall.

Golapi wanted to go to the cinema hall to watch a movie during night show

(which starts normally at 9 pm). She found a rickshaw puller who wanted to

take her to the cinema hall. But after a short while, Golapi discovered that she

had been deceived by the rickshaw puller. Instead of taking her to the cinema

hall, the rickshaw puller took her to his residence in a nearby slum, and along

with two of his friends, raped her several times throughout the night. She was

physically hit when she tried to protest and finally she was released before

dawn.

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Rabeya continued:

Golapi did did not complain to anybody about the incidence, because she

knew that it won’t bring her any result; rather it would make her life more

difficult because people would laugh at her and tease her on the ground that

she was a a rape victim. With no one to help her, nowhere to complain and no

one to fall back upon, she spends her days in utter despair. Her present is

shattered and future is bleak. She doesn’t aspire for anything, life is totally

meaningless to her after that fateful night.

B.1 Summary Findings from Case StudiesThere are hundreds of Farida, Latifa, Golapi, Moyna and Salma in different cities of

Bangladesh. These are just a few names. The case studies are not stories but realities of life,

not for these women only but for the majority of women in Bangladesh to a lesser or even

greater extent. The case histories give insights into the life-worlds and the dynamics of the

hardship and deprivations faced by women at public places. Without any support from the

society and govt. they have to struggle constantly for their survival, working tirelessly to eke

out an existence.

From the different case studies it appears that a woman/girl falls victims to all kinds of sexual

abuse/harassment on the street. The condition of a poor girl/woman is much more vulnerable

than that of her counterpart who is rich. A girl/woman is doubly disadvantaged, she is

abused/harassed by the perpetrator and also she is likely to be blamed by the society and

community.

Fear of being robbed, mugged and physically injured is a major concern expressed by women

participants. In all the seven cities women are afraid of being attacked in footpaths and back

streets/lanes, especially after sunset. Women of all ages and class are afraid of being abused

or attacked by young men/ drug addicts/mastans and even by middle aged males. Frequently

they face derogatory comment/lewd jokes, insulting and abusive language, most of it sex-

related.

It emerged during FGDs and case studies that the main victims of sexual harassment are girl

students, squatter women and those who work in the informal sector. Many of them have to

travel on public transport or on foot daily for their livelihoods and sheer survival. They face

harassment and violence on buses, mini-buses and other forms of transport. It was observed

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during FGDs and case studies that some of the women who suffered harassment have even

changed their schedules. For example, some women have stopped work or working during

the night shift and some of the girls have changed the schools, courses and even abandoned

going to school due to the fear of sexual harassment on the street.

But the harsh world of women is portrayed by the fact that not all women/girls would like to

give up going out of home due to fear of violence/sexual harassment. Because women/girls

have no other alternative but to go out in connection with their work, schooling, health care

and other pressing needs. Ignoring the fear of sexual harassment or the risk being

abused/harassed, they would rather attend classes, go to work place, have recreation, meet

friends ignoring the fear of insecurity. Their need is so overwhelming for them that the ever

present risk of sexual harassment/ insecurity by itself has no meaning. It is just another way

of getting used to live with insecurity and fear of violence in a harsh environment.

From the FGDs with women it emerged that they are frequently harassed and abused by local

touts/mastans including the police. The FGD participants maintain that service providers,

especially the police, usually mistreat the garment workers/other low paid employees,

although few of them are good and exceptional. Most of the garment workers who

participated in the FGDs said:

The touts/mastans, some of the derailed students, even grown-up adults,

including middle aged males misbehave with us/harass us and other low paid

female workers on the street whenever they get an opportunity. They make

derogatory/lewd comments, laugh at us, and harass us in all possible ways.

The consensus in the FGDs with women (supported by evidence from case studies)

was:

The drug addicts, derailed youths, school drop-outs and the mastans/political

cadres are our biggest enemies. They are the worst exploiters and main

perpetrators. Frequently, they snatch away the money we get after a month’s

of hard work. They make love proposal, asks for our phone numbers, want to

go out to watch movies, and most often want to have physical relation. They

make our life like hell. We are always afraid of them- our mobility is

restricted, our productivity is hampered, our sleep is disturbed, and we cannot

enjoy our city life-because we are always afraid of our security.

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Some of the FGD participants maintain:

We are abused/harassed by anti-social elements for no fault of our own.

They continued:

We are not terrorists, drug addicts, or smugglers. Then why should they

abuse us and harass us? They have no right to behave inhumanly with us.

But considering the harsh reality and general attitude of the society, there is virtually

no option left for the women but to be tolerate/endure such violations of human rights.

One participant mentions:

How long a man of flesh and blood can tolerate this? The government should

take immediate steps to stop these oppression and take appropriate actions

against the perpetrators.

One garment worker who was harassed and abused several times, expressed her anguish in

the following words:

None but the mastans/police mistreat us so badly. They abuse the poor

working girls most. They want the working girls to be obedient so that they

can use their bodies any time they want for sexual purpose. They harass us

and sexually abuse the girls whenever they get an opportunity. We are always

afraid of being sexually abused either by the mastans or by derailed youths,

school drop-outs, or even by the police.

B.2 The culture of blaming the VictimsAlthough the problem of sexual harassment is widespread, it is not openly acknowledged.

There is a strongly held belief in certain quarters that women ‘provoke’ violence and

harassment by their own behaviour and actions.

During an FGD with community leaders at Rajshahi, one of the participants (imam of a

mosque) said:

To avoid harassment on the street, women/girls should rethink their way of

life, including changing their dress-up. Most of the young girls while going to

school or college or office put on fashionable/ultra modern dress and

consequently boys/young men are easily tempted/attracted and they start

throwing abusive language, most of it sex-related . So, it is the women who are

to blame for their own suffering.

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The Imam continued,

I often go out with my wife and daughters-their faces covered under burqha,

nobody ever made any derogatory comments towards my wife and daughter.

So, it is mainly the dress-up and life style of young/modern girls for which they

suffer sexual harassment and abuse.

However, most of the participants in the FGD maintain:

It is up to the girl or woman to decide abut her dress-up while going out. They

have every right not to wear burqha while out of their homes. The majority in

the FGD participants are of the opinion that nobody has a right to harass or

abuse a girl/woman on the street irrespective of whether she maintains purdah

or not.

B.3 Concluding Remarks

Sexual harassment comes in all forms, and in all spheres of a woman's life. From ogling,

winking, passing comments in the form of sexual innuendos, to touching, groping, 'eve-

teasing', stalking, sending lewd text messages, 'prank' calls, display of pornography,

threatening and intimidation, acid attacks, and unwanted 'love' proposals. Most women in our

society have been subjected to some form of sexual harassment at some point in their lives.

Women who have to be in public places grimly 'accept' harassment as part of their daily lives,

facing it as soon as they are out of the house. Instead of demanding a change in male

behaviour, women are segregating themselves from their male counterparts, sometimes by

wearing hijab, as a defense mechanism. In spite of this horrific climate, there are no national

laws against sexual harassment at public places.

Needs of women and girls for safety have to be understood from a rights perspective and the

focus must be on right to mobility rather than restrictions on women. A ‘safe city for women’

implies:

• Freedom from violence and harassment, including the fear of violence on the

streets;

• Safe public spaces where women and girls can move freely, without fear of

assault;

• Freedom from sexual harassment and abuse in the work place.

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• Women and girls have a right to enjoy the streets, parks, marketplaces and

neighborhoods of their city, not just for work but also for fun.

• Women and girls should not be harassed when they are out. And the State is

accountable for ensuring opportunities for women and girls to enjoy their city.

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Chapter 7

Discussion of Major Issues and Recommendations

7.1 Violence against women at public PlacesViolence against women in public place is a critical human rights and public health problem

in the country. But violence against women in public space is widely accepted and eve

teasing is often seen as a failure of women in disciplining themselves in terms of free

movement and dress-up etc. The ill-treatment and abuse, exploitation and eve teasing they

experience is a manifestation of society's low regard for girls and women. The situation is

further aggravated by the fact that society as a whole tolerates, even accepts violence at

public place.

Traditional cultures contain their own norms of what women's lives should be; frequently

norms of female modesty, deference, obedience and staying within the confines of home. The

prevailing notion is that women who suffer problems on the street are directly responsible

and it is of their own making. It is up to the women to efficiently or effectively manage their

mobility by observing purdah and being properly dressed. They continue to be labeled

depending on their choice of dress while violence and harassment is frequently normalized in

public spaces restricting women’s mobility and security.

In Bangladesh, Moreover, data remain limited, and little is known by way of community-

based research about the magnitude and patterns of violence at public space. Even less is

known about its consequences on women's lives and their physical and mental well-being. It

should be mentioned here that eve teasing/sexual harassment is just one part of violence at

public place, women are persistently insulted, or subjected to continuous intimidation or

verbal aggression, on their way to work place, shopping mall, school/college etc.

Development is about the protection of the human rights of the concerned population. It pre-

supposes active participation of the populace in the decision-making processes while social

justice remains one of the most important and cherished goals of development. However,

people continue to be marginalized on the basis of class, religion, ethnicity, color and sex.

Discrimination and exploitation on the basis of gender constitutes a serious issue which

effectively means that half the human race is unable to realize its potential and condemned to

sub-optimal standards of existence. Women's access to education, health, employment and

political spaces is severely affected. However, one of the most serious impediments to

women's development in Bangladesh is the phenomenon of continuing and increasing

violence against them, including at the public spaces. Needless to say, this constitutes a

serious violation of women's human rights. Violence against women is one of the most

significant, yet little understood and acknowledged factor, instrumental in the phenomenon of

marginalization of women in the development process.

Violence against women is considered a violation of human rights. The Bangladesh

Constitution has given equal rights to women. Article 27 of the Constitution says, "All

citizens are equal before law and are entitled to equal protection of law". The Universal

Declaration of Human Rights adopted in 1948, to which Bangladesh is a signatory,

guarantees women's rights. It states, "All people are born free and equal in dignity and rights.

They are endowed with reasons and conscience and should act with each other in a spirit of

brotherhood".

But contrary to these laws and declarations, violence against women continues at an alarming

rate in Bangladesh, as in many other developing countries. A large percentage of available

data on violence against women locates public spaces, next to the family, as a major cause of

repression. Eve teasing/sexual harassment, problems related to urban transport and fear of

being raped are some of the major forms of violence against women at the public place.

In the context of the Bangladesh, violence against women takes different pictures in urban

areas and the cities. There is a greater mobility of women and girls in the city. Girls go

outside for schools, college and universities, women work at office/factories and on the street,

women also go outside for shopping/recreation many other purposes. However, the cities

have become very insecure ,especially for women. Women experience urban life differently

from men, including levels of fear and types of violence. These women and girls are facing

number of problems including sexual harassment in public places. Besides, there are other

problems in cities that are contributing towards making a city unsafe and unsustainable for

women and girls.

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7.2 Harassment faced by WomenSafety and security are very important issues not only because they affect one’s mobility but

also one’s productivity and sometimes, even life. More women than men perceive almost all

types of safety/security constraints, including unsafe crossings, mugging, eve

teasing/harassment etc., as constraining their mobility. Eve teasing/harassment is found to be

a travel constraint solely for women. For example, FGD participants mentioned that:

Women got deliberate push by men while walking

More than half of the garment/low paid workers and girl students faced harassment by

local touts while walking

Behaviour of drivers and conductors is not women friendly

Buses refuse to take women when reserved seats are occupied (by men)

Conductors do not want to give change-hence women were charged more

Conductors usually put a hand at the back of a woman while alighting from bus

Rickshaw/CNG charged higher fare from women

Due to higher transport costs mothers waited at school and could not perform their

multiple role productively.

7.3 Women and securityThe human security discourse not only widens the notion of security, emphasizing

sustainable development, social justice, human rights, gender equality and democracy, but

sees people’s security as threatened by violence against women at public places. Indeed,

feminist scholarship holds that the modern notion of ‘human security’ as opposed to national

security, has evolved from the comprehensive approach adopted by peace researchers,

especially those who identify themselves as feminist peace researchers [Stephenson 1999].

Women’s experience of providing for day to day human security, gives them more

comprehensive and integrated perspectives on what constitutes security. Arguably, because

women make up a disproportionate share of the economically disadvantaged they are likely

to be more sensitive to the issue of security.

Both economic and civil security is a function of class, community, caste and gender in south

Asia. Democratizing the security discourse is essential to redefining security and formulating

policies aimed at achieving freedom from want and freedom from fear. Feminizing the

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security discourse, not only brings in that half of the population which has been excluded but

also taps new perspectives located in women’s experience of providing for day to day human

security, and thus their more comprehensive and integrated perspectives on what actually

constitutes security. It is essential to the process of redefining security and power. The

assumption being that there is a gendered notion and praxis of security and power.

There two underlying hypotheses: women’s experience of (in) security is different from that

of men and therefore women’s notions of security and power are different. Arguably, then

women would bring to the security discourse perspectives and praxis which could make a

different in the search for less violent and socially constructive security interlocking

questions,

(i) Do women, look at issues of security, identity and power differently than men?

(ii) Is the difference essentialist?

(iii) How do we get the structurally marginalized-women, redefine and reshape security

agendas?.

In the present research, we have attempted to engage with some of these questions. In

addressing the issue of safe city, inevitably we stray into focusing on situations of insecurity

in urban life. The focus has been on women’s experience of ‘insecurity’ including eve

teasing/sexual harassment faced in their day to day life in the cities..

The term ‘safe space’ has different meanings to different people. However, in general it

implies women’s poor access to public transport, violence/harassment faced by women on

the street, at market place or in public transport which contributes to women’s restricted

mobility due to the fear of sexual harassment/violence.

7.4 Consequences of Sexual Harassment/ ViolenceViolence against women forms the core of gender-based inequalities, with far-reaching

consequences for women’s development and well-being. This is clearly expressed in

paragraph 117 of the Beijing Platform for Action: “.... The fear of violence, including

harassment, is a permanent constraint on the mobility of women and limits their access to

resources and basic activities. High social, health and economic costs to the individual and

society are associated with violence against women. Violence against women is one of the

crucial social mechanisms by which women are forced into subordinate position compared

with men.” (United Nations, 1996)

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Sexual harassment/violence can cause enormous psychological suffering to victims, most

often seen in the form of anxiety and depression. It can also severely restrict their capacity

and desire to participate in social and economic life. The cost of violence-related damage to

significant numbers of young females is a slower pace of development at personal, family

and national levels.

From the intimate, emotion-filled conversation during FGDs and case studies with women

belonging to different socio-economic groups, two patterns emerged regarding insecurity in

public places. First, despite all the efforts by the government and the NGOs to improve the

situation of women, sexual harassment/eve teasing remains deeply ingrained and results in

women’s heightened insecurity. Second, when women are abused and are in stress, there is

very little help either from the community or the State.

7.5 Violence against Women and Human RightsDevelopment is about the protection of the human rights of the concerned population. It pre-

supposes active participation of the populace in the decision-making processes while social

justice remains one of the most important and cherished goals of development. However,

contradictions do remain as a result of various processes, not only among nations at a global

level, but also significantly within sections of population, within a country. People continue

to be marginalized on the basis of class, religion, ethnicity, color and sex.

Discrimination and exploitation on the basis of gender constitutes a serious issue which

effectively means that half the human race is unable to realize its potential and condemned to

sub-optimal standards of existence. Women's access to education, health, employment and

political spaces is adversely affected due to continued violence against women. However, one

of the most serious impediments to women's development is the phenomenon of continuing

and increasing violence at public spaces. Needless to say, this constitutes a serious violation

of women's human rights, instrumental in the phenomenon of marginalization of women in

the development process.

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7.6 Sexual Harassment and the Laws in BangladeshThe Bangladesh Constitution has given equal rights to women. Article 27 of the Constitution

says, "All citizens are equal before law and are entitled to equal protection of law". The

Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted in 1948, to which Bangladesh is a signatory,

guarantees women's rights. It states, "All people are born free and equal in dignity and rights.

They are endowed with reasons and conscience and should act with each other in a spirit of

brotherhood".

If we go through the Constitution of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, then it would be clear

that it declares both women and women equal rights and to participate equally in every public

sphere as mentioned in Articles 27, 28 (1,3,4) and 29 (1). There is not a single specific definition

of women’s private sphere security and violence. It is important to clearly and specifically as to

what should be regarding public places issues and what should be for private instead of stating in

a more general way. Although the Constitution is committed to ensure women’s legal justice

equally like men it did not declare any specific section regarding violence against women and

their safety. In terms of Nari-O-Shishu Nirjaton Ain (Suppression of Women and Children Act)

2000, it described sexual harassment in section 10 (ka). In terms of Acid Control Prevention Act

2002 and Acid Control Act 2002, there is not a single section regarding this issue of safe city,

rather both the Acts described about the punishment and procedure of judgment. To make a safe

city, women’s mobility is required and, in fact, a priority need. Fear of harassment on the street

can reduce women’s participation in public places. The City Corporation Law, 2009 mention the

safety issue of citizens briefly on first chapter, clause (37), which states that, “ if any person

commit crime, such as stealing, pick pocketing, stabbing, killing or rape then that person should

be punished under the law of Penal Code 1860”. There is no specific section that particularly

speaks about prevention of violence against women and protection of women in public place.

Bangladesh Labor Law 2006 ensures women’s reproductive rights by taking necessary regulation

in chapter four “Maternity benefit”. Furthermore, chapter six deals in general about safety issues

in the sphere of women’s labor. Bangladesh Labor Law needs to focus on a highly intensive

position regarding sexual harassment at work places and surroundings of work places. There are

some significant scopes to incorporate safety issues in detail to reduce sexual crime in public

places.

Offences of violence against women are codified in the general criminal law, that is, the

Bangladesh Penal Code 1860 (BPC). Since the early 1980s, the government has initiated

legislative reform geared towards criminalizing certain forms of violence against women

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such as the Dowry Prohibition Act 1980 (DPA) and the Suppression of Violence against

Women and Children Act 2000 (‘the 2000 Act’). These laws have addressed the phenomena

of acid attacks, kidnapping, trafficking and rape, including custodial rape – but not sexual

harassment or domestic violence (except where relating to dowry demands, or concerning

marital rape where the victim wife is aged below fifteen). Hossain (2009) has reviewed

these laws extensively as given below:

Rape: Rape is defined under the Penal Code as sexual intercourse by a man with a woman

against her will, or without her consent, or with her consent when her consent has been

obtained by putting her in fear of death or hurt, or with her consent when the man knows he is

not her husband but she has given consent because she believes him to be the man to whom

she is lawfully married, or with or without her consent when she is under fifteen years of age.

The punishment for Rape includes imprisonment up to a term for life, and a fine (unless the

woman raped is his own wife and is not under thirteen years of age, in which case he may be

punished with imprisonment for two years, or with a fine or both).

Sexual Harassment: There is no specific offence of sexual harassment in the Penal Code

1860, however there are several provisions under which charges could be brought. This

includes offences of ‘assault or use of criminal force to any woman, intending to outrage or

knowing it to be likely he will thereby outrage her modesty’ (punishable by a term of up to

two years and/or a fine), and ‘any word, sound or gesture/ intending to insult the modesty of a

woman or intrude upon her privacy (punishable with imprisonment of up to one year, or a

fine or both). In practices these sections are seldom if ever evoked for the purposes of

addressing sexual harassment.

In a special judgment by the High Court on 25.01.2011 and 26.01.2011 on Sexual violence

heard on 12.01.2011 suggest to take steps to emphasize sexual harassment. The steps include

a proposed amendment to the Nari-O-Shisho Nirjaton Daman Ain 2000 by incorporating a

new section “10 Ka. Penalty for Sexual Harassment” after the existing section 10 —

proposing thereby a definition of a separate offence named ‘Sexual Harassment’ as well as

punishment of one to seven years’ imprisonment and fine for committing the same. The

report, in particular, refers to another step taken by the government through inclusion of

section 509 of the Penal Code 1860 in the Schedule to the Mobile Court Act, 2009 — thereby

empowering the Executive Magistrates to punish the offenders / eve teasers on the spot.

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7.7 Concluding RemarksViolence against women is a widespread and growing problem in Bangladesh. It takes many

forms and occurs in all settings: at work, in the home, in streets and in the community at

large. However, a large percentage of available data on violence against women locates

public spaces as a major cause of repression. Sexual harassment/eve teasing on the street, at

market places, in public transport are some of the major forms of violence against women at

public places. While state parties are obliged to protect and promote women’s human rights,

they are also accountable for rights violations by non-state actors.

Women’s fear of violence restricts their movement, limiting their use of public spaces, their

movement from their homes and as a result, their full enjoyment of a range of human rights.

Insecurity and the threat and reality of violence prevent women and girls from participating

as full and equal citizens in community life. Women and girls have a “right to the city.”

When this right is not realized, women and girls face significant obstacles to educational,

economic, and political opportunities.

The right to the city is the right of all city inhabitants, especially poor people, to have

equitable access to all that a city has to offer and also to have the right to change their city in

ways that they see fit.

The findings of the study show that the absence of access to quality services such as public

transport, streets and street lighting, electricity, housing and living conditions, health services,

food and water. Working in violence against women means addressing the root causes of

violence against women, including patriarchal power structures and unequal power relations

between men and women.

7.7.1 Reasons for Failure to Check violence at public places

In spite of legal measures and support services by GO and NGOs, violence at public places is

still increasing due to reasons such as:

No law to deal with sexual harassment;

Social tolerance of violence at public places;

Cultural tendency to accuse the victims instead of the culprits;

Financial and social obstacles of women in seeking justice;

Complicated and lengthy legal process;

Ineffective implementation of laws;

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No proper and timely prosecution of the culprits;

Lack of gender sensitivity in dealing with cases of violence by police and judicial

authority;

No change in deep rooted values, beliefs and attitudes towards women;

Lack of political commitment of the leaders. VAW is not yet included in the agenda

of political parties manifesto.

To curb down violence at public places and ensure safe city for women in Bangladesh,

administrative, social and economic measures are necessary in which the Government,

political leaders, donor communities, NGOs, women’s organizations, human rights

organizations and other members of civil society need to contribute. Again, the community is

needless to say, the most important institution as far as violence at public places is concerned,

both as the cause of the problem and the arena in which solutions are found.

In view of the above, the following aspects need to be given adequate consideration for

effectively addressing the issue of violence at public places:

Changes in the mindset and attitude of people to remove disparity and discrimination

against women. It is the males who are mainly responsible for violence at public

places. So they should be sensitized at first to prevent violence and to change their

mindset;

Government must strongly deal with various forms of violence at public places.

Exemplary punishments must be enforced for certain cases. At the same time, speedy

trials and non-bail able cases should be dealt with severely;

Effective implementations of existing laws are necessary. Human rights activists and

women’s organizations should act as pressure groups for proper implementation of

laws, amendment of existing laws/ enactment of new laws, and timely disposal of all

cases;

The victims of violence must be encouraged to break the silence, to speak up about

their experiences;

All personnel in position of authority in the judiciary and police force should have

gender sensitivity training. Without this, women’s access to justice will not be

improved.

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The laws are there but the processes and mechanisms involved in accessing justice are either

weak or lacking in capacity or law enforcing agencies are corrupt and biased. Girls and

women shy away from asking for legal help and justice as they experience even more

harassment on the process. Many girls and women bear the pain (of eve teasing) and shame

(of rape and sexual harassment) in silence, in the fear of losing the family or being thrown out

of conjugal home or school.

7.7.2 Recommendations

On the basis of our findings from quantitative and qualitative data, the following

recommendations are made for making cities safer for women:

1. Gender based violence at public spaces is a major violation of women’s human rights

but in Bangladesh sexual harassment/eve teasing is not recognized as a criminal

offence. There is no separate legislation that deals with sexual harassment. This

requires a separate law altogether. We would strongly recommend the following:

Amendment of existing laws or Enactment of new laws so that offences relating to

Sexual harassment/ abuse can be dealt with. NGOs were directly involved in

drafting the Domestic Violence Act with the aim of incorporating international

standards regarding domestic violence. A working group consisting of representatives

from several NGOs, women groups and legal specialists may prepare a draft for this.

2. The services for victims of violence range from providing direct services to raising

awareness, mobilizing support, advocating for policy changes and lobbying at different

levels for adoption of laws that are sensitive to the needs of women. Interventions to

address VAW are traditionally characterized in terms of three levels of prevention:

Primary prevention– approaches that aim to prevent violence before it occurs.

Secondary prevention–approaches that focus on the more immediate responses to

violence, such as pre-hospital care, emergency services or treatment for victims

with physical or sexual assault.

Tertiary prevention–approaches that focus on long-term care in the wake of

violence, such as rehabilitation and reintegration, and attempts to lessen trauma or

reduce the long-term disability associated with violence. We recommend that

Victims need to be provided with direct support, counseling including legal

aid from the police, health, judiciary and Human Rights Groups.

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3. Agencies working for women should try to protect the interest of women

victims by providing support services. These include the provision of shelter,

economic support and legal assistance for women victims on the one hand,

and active prosecution perpetrators on the other.

4. The issue of violence at public place should be included in school curricula, at

all levels, from primary to tertiary and vocational training. The educational

curriculum should not only be gender-sensitive but should encourage

discussions at a very early age about equality between sexes in all matters.

Both the print and electronic media can play important roles and instead

of picturing stereotypical roles of men and women, they can promote

more balanced and healthy perceptions of male-female relationship.

5. Socio- cultural reasons and legal loopholes are sources of violence against

women. Appropriate measures should be taken in this regard. There is also an

urgent need to raise awareness regarding women’s rights to safer cities.

Education and mass media can play an important role in this regard. Some

form of counseling for men and Boys is needed to raise their awareness on

human rights. Community education efforts—directed to women, men and

family elders—must forcefully convey (i) women’s right to safe city and

(ii) the likely consequences of violence against women at public space

women and children.

6. The Govt. should take appropriate and effective measures to to deal with complains

regarding violence cases. Frequency of police patrol should be increased by

increasing the size of police force. There should be a Sexual Harassment and

Prevention Cell at the police station to deal with sexual harassment cases.

We would also recommend the following:

The justice system, whether it is the local police station or the law courts, must be

equally accessible to women and it must be just.

Mechanisms for voicing grievances should be in place and accessible to the most

poor and excluded women.

Needs of women and girls regarding public services and safety have to be

understood from a rights perspective and considered in planning processes. The

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focus must be on right to mobility rather than restrictions on women.

Streets must be crime-free and policing should be sensitive and efficient. Crime-free

neighbors and streets reflect the commitment of governments to the right to the city.

Gender training should be made mandatory for service providers, be they government

employees or private providers, and also for the employer. Gender-sensitization and

training should be provided to police personnel, public transport workers, and health

providers.

Police patrols and immediate responses from police to women’s complaints of

violence were identified as inadequate. Training of police personnel should focus

especially on breaking gender stereotypes and providing sensitive services to women

who have faced violence, including women with disabilities.

The above measures, though not exhaustive, could contribute towards making safer cities for

women. As women’s health, security, life and indeed that of families and society are at stake

and undermined by the existence of violence at public place, all of us must refrain from

invoking tradition, to avoid working towards the elimination of gender violence in the

community and at public places.

It is clear that if women are to attain justice in society it is necessary that the structures of

subordination are transformed – i.e. changes in laws, civil codes, enforcement of existing

laws, labor codes, social and legal institutions that under-write male control and privileges.

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