Delhi unsafe for women?

66 pc women faced sexual harassment last year: Survey

Two out of three women in Delhi
have suffered sexual harassment
at least 2-5 times in the last year.
This was revealed in a joint
survey report released by NGO
Jagori, United Nations
Development Fund for Women
and UN Habitat.

The survey 'Safe Cities Baseline
Survey- Delhi 2010' gathered and
analysed information about the
nature and forms of gender
based violence and harassment
faced by women, the role of
governing agencies and the
police in safeguarding women's
rights and societal perceptions
and attitudes towards sexual
harassment. It had a total sample
of 5010 people. This survey is the
first of its kind and is unique for
including the perceptions and
experiences of men regarding
the issue. It looked at
harassment of women in Delhi ,
highlighting concerns relating to
public spaces in the city.

More than 80 per cent of the
respondents reported incidents
of verbal harassment, with 45
per cent women reporting
incidents of stalking. Women
claimed to suffer maximum
harassment in the marketplace
followed closely by metro
stations and areas around
schools and colleges. Roadsides
and public transport are places
where women are most
vulnerable to harassment. The
survey found school and college
students to be most vulnerable to
harassment, though women
across all categories face
harassment.

The main reasons for sexual
harassment identified by the
survey include lack of gender
friendly and functional
infrastructure such as adequate
lighting, side walks and safe
public toilets; open usage of
alcohol and drugs by men; and
the lack of effective and visible
police presence. 54 per cent of
women reported feeling unsafe
and vulnerable in crowded public
transport and bus stops.

Female respondents expressed a
dismal lack of confidence in the
police to curb harassment, with
only 0.8 per cent reporting such
incidents to the authorities. The
vast majority responded to
harassment by confronting the
perpetrator themselves or by
seeking help from family and
friends. The lack of faith in the
police extended across all
occupational groups.

The report on the findings of the
survey included a number of
recommendations like improving
public infrastructure such as
streetlights,sidewalks and privacy
of public women's toilets;
publicising the use of helplines,
deploying policemen and
sensitising the public.