In France, 15 percent of women complain of sexual harassment on the streets. In India, more than 70 percent of women face the same problem. And yet, we don’t have a stringent measure like the French.
France has introduced a new law that imposes a heavy fine on eve teasing, commenting on women’s appearance, wolf whistling or even lecherously staring at women. India desperately needs such a strict law to curb the problem in India.
In many Indian villages and even cities, the problem is very rampant. Add to this the patriarchal set up where a girl is victimised or blamed when she takes a step against this menace. Usually, people comment on her own character or dress when in fact, the problem lies with the male.
Recently, there was a huge social media campaign of #MeToo to highlight this problem. It was realised that from everyday events like eve-teasing, molestation, calling names, whistling, staring to rapes, many girls face a spectrum of issues. But the voices are lost in the collective conscience of male domination.
Image Credit: Movie – Pink
Feminists have demanded punishments like castration to execution for various offences against women, but there is no headway. Instead, cases are lost in the labyrinth of judicial processes. Such a fine would act as an immediate deterrence. Notice how people don’t park their vehicles in no-parking zones? Because they don’t want to pay a heavy fine. Probably a fine against eve-teasing would work in the same way.
Why would a man whistle at a college student, if the price would be INR 500? It does not mean you quantify the honor of a girl. It means you find a resolution that works to check harassment.
France has a Minister of Equality, who has decided to impose this fine. Even India needs a change in the mindset. And though the feminists have a long way to go, a monetary fine might be the right step towards making an effective beginning.
