Three in four urban women have experienced sexual harassment in worldwide 'epidemic'
Three in four women have been subjected to harassment and violence in cities across the world, according to new research by ActionAid UK, which described the situation as an "epidemic".
On average, 40 per cent of women who took part in the YouGov poll in Brazil, India, Thailand and the UK, said that they had been groped in public - the incidents ranged from being followed to sexual abuse.
The research has been launched ahead of the charity’s International Safe Cities for Women Day, in a bid to tackle the urban violence that women and girls struggle with globally. In light of this, ActionAid is urging the UK to contribute at least £70 million from its existing aid budget to help protect vulnerable women over the next three years.
Sarah Carson, ActionAid's Women's Rights Campaign Manager said: “It is appalling and unacceptable that this is happening in cities around the world. That’s why we are calling on the UK Government to play its role in funding the life changing work of women’s rights organisations in developing countries. So that no matter who she is or where she lives, no woman has to live in fear of violence or harassment in her city.”
In Britain, 43 per cent of women polled said they felt at risk of harassment on city streets and 36 per cent felt at risk travelling on public transport
In Brazil, 55 per cent of women, aged between 18 and 24, said that they had been harassed at public or community events.
In North India, 89 per cent of women said they had experienced harassment of some sort, with 50 per cent experiencing unwanted bodily or physical contact of a sexual nature.
What say you ? Are these realistic figures – Is it a major concern ?
Source: The Telegraph
Stop posting on QL and you'll be safe, MM.
My policy is to Make No Mistake ............
Being cautious is good, being paranoid is not.
Brit, How irresponsible view you have ? If there is danger won't you take action for your family members ? Or you just mention that the situation is like that, then still allow them to get exposed to the danger ?
Most agencies who talk about public in other than their own countries usually give seasonal reports to see their name in the media .........
Brit, Do not ignore the difference in the language used for UK & Brazil cases ........ In UK they '' feel the risk '' but in Brazil they are harassed ...... !!
Why can't we club UK with other countries where there is Risk only but no harassment ?
MM have you been harassed? Maybe that's why mostly you are interested but afraid.
Brit, Which men are at fault ? ..........
Why do the women has to look to the privately run agencies ? Don't they have the votes ? Have not they one elected fellow who is responsible for their safety ? Why don't we expect something from our police ? Are not you indirectly going on your own way ?
MM: So , in your opinion , it would be better for men to keep women indoors for "fear" of being harrassed..
Shuiabh, If a man knows that his women folk are at risk then why do the men still send them out alone ? ......... Which men are at fault , home or out siders ?
Full article
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/politics/three-in-four-urban-women-have-experienced-sexual-harassment-in/
Guys, Can't you see the difference, In UK they only feel the risk but in Brazil it is there actually ..... ?
If there is Zero woman harassed in UK then what was the need to club UK with Brazil .... ?
There is something fishy ......... ?
One has to be watchful for this type of routine item in the media ..........
Women who use public transport to commute to work/colleges are generally the victims. Not all can afford personal transportation. So what do they do? Accept this to be an inevitable situation and be abused or quit their jobs/studies and stay at home?
Sad state of affairs.
You are correct.. I recall reading a similar article last year about Egypt, where sexual harrassment for women is at similar rates to India.. It is "accepted" as part and parcel of society and most women suffer but don't want to report for fear of being persecuted by police or family..
North India has a figure of 89%, which I've heard might not be too far fetched.
Yes, women need to report such crimes and authorities MUST take strong action against the perpetrators. But not all women report such crimes due to fear of retaliation, fear of being ridiculed and asked uncomfortable questions by the authorities themselves, etc. Unless the authorities and the governments have stricter measures in place to tackle such crimes these numbers will simply increase.
I agree with you but education can play a major part in tackling such issues
As an aside - The definition of sexual harrassment may be different in different societies ...
shuaibh: To be honest, I found the figures rather high...
For example, India has a figure of 89%...
If this is the case, then I would urge women to report such "crimes" and authorities to take stronger action against the perverts..
Many will say education is the answer - but I believe that in today's world, we should know better
These figures seem to be realistic and this is definitely a major concern.
What do you recommend or see as steps to eradicate this epidemic?