Feminization of public spaces: silent harassment in public spaces hinders gender mobility

Economic empowerment is a subset of gender mobility. Women must venture beyond the confines of their homes to work or pursue education. Yet the design of public spaces that connect their accommodation to destinations is not gender neutral and often enables harassment.

Microaggressive behavior of men in public spaces becomes a silent killer of women’s right to mobility

Men’s microaggressive behavior in public spaces becomes a silent killer of women’s right to mobility. Even though globalization has opened doors to all genders, entrenched societal norms and deep-rooted patriarchal mindsets often overlook the role of women in society.

Silent harassment: the unspoken struggle

Silent harassment, a subtle and not necessarily verbal form of harassment, includes behaviors such as critical looks, shouting, elevator glances, mocking glances, etc. Microaggressive behaviors elicit a pervasive feeling of dread in women. Unfortunately, such cases seem to be a common situation and are often ignored, considered insignificant. Silent harassment creates fear and discomfort in the minds of women and requires them to always be extremely vigilant.

Notably, using public transportation in densely populated countries like India can be a hellish situation. The design of public transport infrastructure is often planned without taking into account the specific needs of women. In many parts of India, it is common to see men occupying spaces for dysfunctional purposes, such as socializing in teahouses or loitering on street corners. Although their behavior cannot be directly blamed, it does monopolize already congested areas.

Breaking barriers for women in transport

Women who frequently use public transportation often face their harsh realities. Above all, getting a seat on a bus is a big challenge for women. Typically, men claim the window seats and are reluctant to trade places with other male travelers, even if requested. This lack of consideration and outright harassment leaves women with the uncomfortable choice of sharing a seat with men or standing for the duration of the trip.

It has become common practice to ask a male passenger to change seats with another man, but this is met with refusal. This forces women to seek help from the bus driver. On happy occasions, they may meet a helpful driver who helps them find a seat on the bus. Sometimes, when the driver feels irritated, women have to deal with exasperated expressions from co-passengers who silently wonder why a woman is creating confusion from a small thing.

Personal stories of women experiencing harassment

Ironically, every woman has experienced these kinds of problems in everyday life and has her own story to tell. Muthulakshmi, a journalist based in Puducherry, identifies whistling as the most common form of street harassment, which is difficult to measure. She recalls an incident in which a man made an inappropriate comment to her, saying: “What a mare!“While she is convinced the comment was directed at her, it is not something that can be easily proven.

Kanchana, who earns her living by selling fish, shared the tribulations she endures on a daily basis. She recounted experiences of silent harassment, from strangers and shoppers alike. She described facing frequent harassment from men who engage in forceful negotiations without any real desire to make a purchase. Thus, the silent harassment that women face has become part of their daily routine.

Aparna, a technology professional, shared a difficult experience she had during a bus ride. She observed that when seated next to a male passenger, he often sought to engage in conversation, persisting even when she politely tried to shy away from unsolicited advances.

Inclusive design

The feminization of public spaces is necessary to make them safer for women. It is pertinent here to take note of the Zero Ticket bus travel scheme launched by the Tamil Nadu government, allowing women passengers to travel for free up to a distance of 30 km. THE study driven by Consumer Citizen and Civic Action Group on how the program works reveals that women saved Rs. 400 per month and this program allowed them to move freely while improving women’s participation in work.

It is pertinent here to take note of the Zero Ticket bus travel scheme launched by the Tamil Nadu government, allowing women passengers to travel for free up to a distance of 30 km.

In Spain, the act of “manspreading” is prohibited, as it is an infrastructure problem that undermines women’s freedom of movement. “Manspreading” refers to the habit in which a man sits with his legs spread wide, thereby encroaching on the space of the seat next to him. This behavior, most commonly observed on public transportation, is usually linked to the man’s deep-seated compulsion to establish dominance, which in turn diminishes the personal space afforded to women.

The prevalence of male spread on public transportation presents an ongoing challenge for working women during their daily commute. Born in New York in 2014 after a public campaign, the term “manspreading” has since encapsulated the frustrating experience of men occupying excessive space on public transport, often spanning more than one seat.

The prevalence of male spread on public transportation presents an ongoing challenge for working women during their daily commute.

This behavior, emblematic of a broader societal problem, continues to be a source of contention, particularly affecting urban professional women as they travel to and from their workplaces.

Beyond the realm of political reform, every person has the capacity to contribute to the advancement of women’s rights. A collective group of women, offering each other support in perilous circumstances and defending each other against public harassment, has the power to revolutionize society. Adopt the mantra “Make noise to make change” can definitely create an environment in which women can navigate without dismay.

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