Eve teasing
|
|
Eve teasing is a euphemism used in India for sexual harassment or molestation of women by men. Considered a growing problem throughout the subcontinent, eve teasing ranges in severity from sexually coloured remarks to outright groping. Some guidebooks to the region warn female tourists that eve teasing may be avoided by wearing conservative clothing, though eve teasing is reported both by Indian women and by conservatively-dressed foreign women.
Various reasons are suggested for the prevalence of sexual harassment in India. Some feel that it is the direct consequence of a puritanical and sexually repressive society, especially one in which women traditionally have no voice and nothing resembling equal rights. Others insist that the influence of western media is the primary cause. Indian movies, especially those from Bollywood, have a mixed record on sensitivity towards women's issues. While some tend to be overly pedantic and take an extremely conservative tone on sexuality, others, especially those directed towards the youth, have been criticized for questionable attitudes regarding women.
In recent years the Indian government has made some efforts to round up eve teasers. The deployment of plainclothed policewomen for the purpose has been particularly effective. The death of a female student (Sarika Shah) in Chennai in 1998, caused by Eve teasing, brought some tough laws to counter this menace in South India. After this case, there had been a half-a-dozen reports of suicide, that had been attributed to pressures caused due to Eve Teasing. And many other cases, go unreported, for fear of reprisals and exposure to public shame. This is particularly important to understand, as Indian women are put under more stress by archaic rules concerning virginity and nobility. Therefore, long-term solutions are unlikely without fundamental changes in societal attitudes.
External links
- [1] (http://www.doubletongued.org/index.php/dictionary/eve_teasing/)Citations of the term which show it dates to at least as early as 1960.
- [2] (http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/09/10/stories/2002091000070100.htm)Problems faced due to Eve teasing.
- [3] (http://www.expressindia.com/ie/daily/19980727/20850084.html)Report on Sarika Shah incident.