Eve teasing or Sexual Harassment?
The advertisement shows a group of men and two women standing at a bus stop. Three men are harassing one of the women, while the other men and the second woman watch the scene without doing anything. The caption reads, ‘There are no men in the picture. Or this wouldn’t happen’. The copy goes on to mention that the woman being ‘teased’ by the men is feeling humiliated and embarrassed and that you as a ‘real man’ should protect and help her and escort her away from the scene. You (the ‘real man’) would also save her from ‘shame and hurt’. The copy ended with the words ‘Protect women from eve teasers’ (in capital and bold letters). The advertisement shows that the government is committed to the prevention of ‘eve-teasing’. It also shows recognition of the fact that eve teasing is not a women’s problem, and commendably addresses the issue of societal responsibility for perpetuation of violence against women. However, the copy is based upon deeply problematic understandings of masculinity and femininity, and debatable ideologies and values, and therefore, in my view, fails to engage a reader in the core issues and values that may lead to behaviour change. Let us look at some of the issues: To begin with, the entire concept of ‘teasing’ or ‘eve-teasing’. This is not a harmless tale of a woman being ‘teased’. Remember the chhedkhani that is depicted in every other Hindi film, where the macho hero ‘teases’ the heroine as a legitimate form of male-female interaction before the female capitulates and ‘falls in love’ with him? In reality, this is not about being ‘teased’, it is about a woman being sexually harassed. This woman - and many of us – are sexually harassed and assaulted every single day. At bus stops, in buses, in trains, on roads, at every public place… It is time to give the act the name it deserves, with an appropriate punishment to go with such an act. The feelings of the woman (as mentioned in the ad) are humiliation, embarrassment, shame and hurt. Yes, many of us do go through these emotions, but what the copywriter forgot to mention is anger. Women feel angry that they are being treated this way. They are angry that people are mere silent on-lookers, watching the different ways in which women’s bodies and feelings are violated; they are furious that men and other perpetrators of violence are allowed to get away with the crime, by hiding it under the garb of ‘eve-teasing’. It is time to recognise the emotions that such acts generate in women. Another notion that needs to be looked at a little more deeply is that of a woman needing to be protected and ‘saved’. The implication is, of course, that she is delicate and fragile and is incapable of helping herself. It is important to recognise that women can and do protect themselves all the time. Every single day, a woman protects herself from eyes that stare hungrily at her, hands that reach out and grab her, words that insult her, catcalls and sounds that hit her like a ton of bricks … It is time to recognise a woman’s capacities as an individual and as a person who should be treated with dignity and respect. Ideas of about a woman and her place in the world need to be re-examined. As citizens of this city, this is the moment for us to start taking responsibility to stop violence against women and girls. The perpetuation and continuation of violence against women is a reflection upon all of us and of the kind of society that we live in. The first step to making a change is to accept that violence against women is not a ‘women’s issue’ but a societal issue. This ad is a step in the right direction; it places the responsibility of prevention upon all of us. However it is time to get out of the protection mode and recognise it as a violation of rights. ‘Real men’, and indeed, ‘real women’ (like the woman onlooker in the ad who has been ignored in the copy) need to work together to create a society free of violence against women and girls. Each and every one of us is has to contribute to that society. The Delhi Police, on the other hand, needs to change their ad agency. Nandini Rao is Program Manager, Violence Intervention Cell, at Jagori - A Women’s Resource Centre based in New Delhi, India. |
User comments
"Ms Ghosh - please identify the problem with eve teasing first"Author:
Riddhi Mittal
Time: 15.05.2008 13:49
Comment: You are probably right in saying that eve teasing and sexual harassment are two different terms, in the case of college seniors teasing freshers, it is probably not an intended sexual harassment but pure fun, which is exactly what eve teasing in a mild form is.
The problem however, is with our mindset that eve teasing is okay. Right from films to TV shows to awards functions to any kind of event, girls have been and are continuing to be identified and treated as mere sex objects, as toys to play with. Women dance in scanty clothes at almost all events. The bigger IRONY is that, for the role of the more scanty almost nude dressed dancer, foreign dancers who would not mind it, are called. For example, for this year's New Year Event, the police sent out notifications to Indian actresses like Bipasha and Rakhi etc that they should NOT dress scantily for the event, BUT in Delhi, foreign dancers were called to perform in a show, and they were almost wearing nothing!! I say HOW DARE YOU police an Indian woman's sexuality while at the same time being hypocritical enough to BE OKAY WITH a foreign woman who is scantily dressed. PLUS, if you say that only sick men engage in sexual harassment, I AM VERY SORRY. The truth is that, since time immemorial, an indian woman has been policed because the men were never asked or expected to have control over their LUST and SICKNESS. Be it a 14 yr old boy OR a 55 yr old man, both judge females. And although everyone may be sympathetic towards a girl in a salwar kameez, I will also be sympathetic towards a girl who is wearing a dress which otherwise looks okay but if she bends, her neckline drops. Basically, How can you define what is exactly apt and appropriate? Why is the blame always on the woman for "luring" the guy. Did God give men NO sense of their own. A woman should have the freedom to dress the way she feels like, and for starters, a skirt or shorts or sleeveless tops are NOT "indecent" clothing. Nudity and scanty dressing is, BUT the above mentioned items, NO! Bollywood itself has freakin' DOUBLE STANDARDS. WHat are they trying to show when the movies are male oriented with the woman just being there for his pleasure, or to be a sex object in disgusting item songs. And then ofcourse, the hero always eve-teases himself! all this has resulted in considering eve-teasing okay, which mind you is the BIGGEST hinderance to action against eve teasing. Women from probably before they are born are taught to TOLERATE it, and let go because NO ONE IS GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. Today even parents think that its okay or probably to be accepted as a way of life. All mothers out there, just because YOU did not say anything and stand up DOES NOT mean it is okay, and things cannot change, and your daughters should be meek too. Also, how on earth will things change if YOU DON"T CHANGE FIRST. TUM CHALO, TOH HINDUSTAN CHALE. And men, PLEASE take some time to reflect on it and get rid of your sick male chauvinist attitude. And Ms Ghosh, I know what you are trying to say when you say, its okay to stare. You are trying to make both sexes more comfortable with each other, AND I AM ALSO OF THE SAME OPINION. BUT, that does not mean eve-teasing is not a problem, rather that increased interaction between boys and girls can be a solution to the problem. Infact, co-ed education should be increased in popularity so that men do not act like hungry salivating idiots on the streets and otherwise. |
"Staring - a right?"Author:
Pardesi Bahu
Time: 02.06.2007 22:37
Comment: Ms. Sharmila says; "And mind it, it is the right of both men and women to stare at each other if one finds the other attractive or to be watched at. There is nothing wrong about it, it is absolutely normal."
......................... in which culture? My parents taught me from early on that staring is RUDE. Bad manners, plain and simple. Yeah, when I see a hot guy I look -- discreetly. I don't stare relentlessly as that is a violation of his privacy and space, something Indian guys don't seem to understand. I blame it on the parents. Someone is not teaching these guys good manners. |
"We Rock"Author:
Sulabha Subramaniam
Time: 23.02.2007 01:26
Comment: Agree totally with you. Have the same experience. Learnt over my 47 years that you can learn to read body language to give yourself a fair idea of a person's intention. Also that if you feel confident/ fearless & look at the intended perpetrator in the eye, most of them will slink away. Besides, I have whenever possible given the perpetrator a whack & walked away before he can react ,or given him a piece of my mind publicly. Mostly they sense discomfort, fear or lack of alertness & try to take advantage. It's basic (baser) instinct. May be most men feel the urge, but some of them act on it.They expect you to feel ashamed/ humiliated. When you react in a manner unexpected to them, they often back off. Though you cannot wipe out a disgusting touch, you can work at empowering yourself to protect yourself and your selfworth. Unfortunate though it is that we have to learn this, we don't want to endlessly discuss the 'why's & 'how dare's. Let's start implementing what we learn & share it. Actions speak the loudest.
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"Replies to Ms. Sharmila"Author:
me myself
Time: 20.09.2005 12:49
Comment: Dear Mam,
Forget about offending hardcore feminists, ur comments offend our very sensibilities as women. 1) So you think eve-teasing is not "harrasment", thereby implying women are okay with it or even enjoy it. Wonder if you have a college going daughter/sister/friend and if you have ever asked her that did she enjoy the "teasing" she had to put up with by the senior boy students. Let me assure you that this is not the case across board and kindly do not generalize. what you are saying equates EVE-TEASING with freindly banter, which is not the case and even the most naive women can differentiate between the two. So kindly do not confuse the two. 2) "Out of ten women standing on a bus-stop only one is harrassed." Care to elaborate what that ONE might have done to invite such wrath? The crime perhaps of looking more presentable than the others, that too unintentionally? (trying to demystify your MASTER PIECE of an argument.) Or was she standing on the bus-stop thumbing guys towards herself and provoking them to tease her. I am 25, and yet to come across something of this sort. If you have kindly enlighten us... 3) Can you define INDECENT DRESSING? Who gave you the right to call someone else INDECENTLY DRESSED? I live in delhi and I still have to see women walk down on the roads in bikinis or even travel in buses in short skirts? Is a salwaar kameez decent enough for you? Are you telling us you haven't ever been harrassed while wearing a salwaar kameez or a saree? If yes, which planet are you from? I am sorry but i refuse to let the men sit as judges on my dress code. I don't salivate when i see them wearing shorts or even their underwear on the road. I expect some modicum of similar respect when I choose to wear a jeans, skirt, cutsleeve shirts (take ur pick according to whatever it is that u find indecent.) 4) Going by your definition of normal/sick men, I easily arrive at the conclusion that over 95 percent of the men are sick. Mind you these might include our own fathers and brothers. The middle aged men who stops on the roads offering u a lift. The college professor who rubs his hands all across ur back as a blessing ofcourse, while walking with you. The boss who would rather talk to your breasts than you. I speak collectively for the rest of the women commentators on this forum, sorry for violating your naivete and introducing to this big, bad, real world we live in. By the way, really which isolated hamlet do you live in????????????????????????? Just interested, coz we should all probably move down there. Madhu |
"Countering Ms. Ghosh's observations"Author:
Mamata Pradhan
Time: 19.09.2005 16:52
Comment: I am in complete agreement with the stand taken by Ms. Rao. This comment is then a reaction to the statements made by Ms. Sharmila Ghosh (user comment #1). I have serious issues with her portrayal of the matter at hand and would like to take up these concerns one by one.
First, it is dangerous to distinguish between eve-teasing and sexual harassment with the understanding that the first in some ways is more acceptable: this is not so. Any inappropriate action with sexual undertones which would make a person uncomfortable can be termed harassment as it impinges upon the person’s freedom to be and comfort levels. Secondly, I take serious issue with the understanding that the girls or women who get teased or molested are those who invite such a situation. Notwithstanding the stray cases, for most part eve-teasing or molestation has nothing to do with how a woman is dressed or carries herself, which I assert on the basis of experience, individual and collective (rather than observation). A female (regardless of age) can be dressed from head to toe and is still accosted. Thirdly, it is misleading to assert that it is only the “sick” or the “perverted” male that engages in eve-teasing or sexual harassment. In the given scenario, with the prevailing mindset, it is for most part acceptable to view a woman (in the generic sense) as a sexual object or a lesser being. And it may be said here that this mindset is perpetuated by men and women alike. For most part, ogling or making inappropriate remarks or even brushing up against a woman can be dismissed as merely having some fun by a number of men. Finally, this is not to say that women should invite trouble – there are realities that must be faced; also that yes, there are cases of deliberate provocation or acts of violence by the “perverted.” At the same time, while I’m not a feminist, as a woman I would not want to have an existence circumscribed by a belief structure that allows men to get away with harassment and puts the onus on women. Anusha Lall Adding to what Anusha has said, Delhi has the history of raping a month-old baby and an eighty-five year old woman. It’s quite incomprehensible to me as to how a baby or old woman can provoke sexual overtures in a man. Guess Ms. Sharmila may be able to throw some light on this. PS: I have a feeling that Ms. Ghosh has not travelled in a DTC bus/blue line. Won’t mind if she tries out one of them. I along with my colleagues have had this such experiences……. And must add that some of us are dark, ugly, fat ducklings………………………Don’t know how we are able to evoke sexual fantasies in a man……… I fail to understand as to why we don’t pounce upon men who are provocatively dressed…………this reverse psychology seems to suit men more conveniently. And an opportunity for us to pass the responsibility to women…………that if you are raped, sexually harassed, the fault must be with you………………… As for myself I am a fully clad woman……….and I have had my share of sexual abuse…… Do you mind responding to this?????????? Mamata Pradhan |
"eve-teasing is not sexual harassment"Author:
Sharmila Ghosh
Time: 17.09.2005 21:35
Comment: sexual harassment and eve-teasing have different implications - the former is certainly a serious humiliation of women's bodies, her sexuality, her rights, her emotions etc. But the latter can mean many things, just simple teasing, and may not necessarily have anything to do with a woman's sexuality.....in a co-ed college when senior boy students tease freshy girl students it is surely eve-teasing but NEVER sexual harassment.
And for sake of convenience - for taking up the case of violence against of women, even if you co-relate the two, I would say (and surely from my years of observation in different situations) those girls or women who are teased or molested, are the ones who invite such a situation. How is it possible that out of 10 women standing at a bus stop, only one gets teased or "harassed"? Why is it that some women / girls are constantly teased anywhere or everywhere they may be, and some women never get teased? I am not defending men, but I would certainly take this opportunity to comment that apart from those men who are "sick" or perverted, the normal and healthy man will not have even the slightest tendency to tease or harass a woman unprovoked. And mind it, it is the right of both men and women to stare at each other if one finds the other attractive or to be watched at. There is nothing wrong about it, it is absolutely normal. I will also comment that when a girl or a woman is indecently dressed or tries to provoke men through some peculiar behaviour, she is surely harassing men or teasing them. I am sorry if I have offended hardcore feminists..... |
"eve teasing or street sexual harassment"Time: 14.09.2005 11:22
Comment: eve teasing is too trivial a term. it fails make people see street sexual harassment as an issue.teasing is 'fun' and 'acceptable'.
I been working on street sexual harassment since 2 years. The outcome is in public interventions. www.blanknoiseproject.blogspot.com |
"Eve teasing or Sexual Harassment?"Author:
kv Gouthami
Time: 14.09.2005 10:22
Comment: I completely agree with the article - the ad as described, is certainly a step in the right direction, but a long way away from being able to walk in Delhi without the constant tension.
However, it would be helpful, if there were more concrete suggestions given on how to improve the ad. Too often we criticise, but we dont say how it could be done better. What are the exact changes that you would like to see in the copy? What should the picture itself show? I am not too sure that we should use the phrase "sexual harassment" for "eve teasing" in a public ad as yet. While those of us who are interested in women's issues feel strongly that the latter phrase is a terrible euphemism, to the aam janata, "sexual harassment" is still not clearly understood, while "eve teasing" is. We should, of course, change this, but that is another ad. I am open to discussion on this - at this point I am not sure. gouthami11@yahoo.com |
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