Safety begins with the self

WOMEN IN the city are perceived to enjoy greater freedom and empowerment than their rural counterparts, mostly because they are educated and employed in larger numbers here. On the occasion of International Women's Day, we take a look at how the social and economic advances have come about with the increased need to commute, interact, manage and safeguard women's concerns, both personal and official. But the biological disadvantage of being the physically 'weaker' sex (with due apologies to Karnam Malleshwari and feminist expostulations) makes safety of women a key issue for society in general, and the policy-makers in particular - for, if one half of the population does not feel safe, law can bring no order for the whole.

Modernity may have given women the voice to vent their feelings, but most of the crimes against women go unreported as victims do not wish to draw public attention, fearing social ostricisation.

So, the available statistics can only give indicative figures and not the real picture.

A random survey shows that most women follow some fundamental rules which almost add up to self-defence. Almost all of them have seen or experienced instances of misbehaviour in crowded buses.

R. Malathi (names have been changed to protect identity), a middle-aged woman, says, "If they pinch and shove so obviously with someone my age, I hate to think what young girls must be experiencing in buses." While the crowd inspires courage in some to fight in frustration, an overwhelming majority prefer to move away as they feel shouting at the ruffians is futile and embarrassing in a crowded bus.

With the crimes against women on the rise, most women today feel that they should themselves take steps for their safety.

Bhanumathi Deivasigamani (Phone: 5553468) teaches karate and has a special course for self-defence, which helps women to turn pins, umbrellas, tiffin boxes and even bare hands into effective weapons. She does not find age a limiting factor in the search for that sense of safety.

Strangely, separate seats for men and women in the South seem to have offered no solution. There are no such separate seats in Mumbai buses, and yet a jean-clad woman would not draw a second look there. But she cannot escape the catcalls and comments here.

One's attire can sometimes be a simple and effective tool of protection.

Latha S. wears no make-up and prefers sober and loose clothes while travelling by bus. Revathi, a reporter, who usually returns home late in the night, avoids travelling on deserted roads even if it means taking a longer route. Shweta, a college goer, feels that she is safer on her two-wheeler and avoids wearing short skirts if she has to return home late in the evening.

Gold ornaments more than enhancing a woman's beauty, pose a danger to her. Gold-plated chains or thinner/lighter variations are replacing even the taali worn by married women.

When quizzed about how safe they felt about living in Chennai, some women said, "It's okay, not bad", while some others felt "it was like any other city".

What is the role of the police force in this endeavour? The Commissioner of Police, Mr. P. Kalimuthu expresses his views. Excerpts from the interview:

How would you advise women to safeguard themselves?

When women are alone in the house, they should be careful in opening the door when the bell rings. They should see through the peep hole and open the door only after ascertaining the identity of the person outside. I have usually seen many ladies when they are busy in the kitchen and somebody knocks on the door, they blindly open it. They should be alert once they step out of the house and avoid becoming too friendly with a stranger, even if it's a woman.

What problems do the police face in bringing offenders to the book and what are the steps being taken to address crimes against women?

Normally crimes like eve-teasing, rape, molestation, or even dowry harassment are not reported to the police at the earliest.

Sometimes, when the victims inform the lower level police functionaries, they get no response. That's the reason why many are reluctant to approach the police.

But they shouldn't give up and try to get in touch with a senior police officer, may be the deputy commissioner, joint commissioner, additional commissioner and the commissioner. They can even contact us on the telephone.

In case of emergency, we have special numbers - master control room - 8555064 and the IS control room - 8555036. Besides, at four police stations in the city, we have an exclusive wing to help women, called Women Helpline. There are also four separate control rooms at the Thousand Lights all-woman police station. A woman sub-inspector and about three women constables are available round-the-clock in this police station. (Ph: 8295151). We have also provided jeeps exclusively to help women in need. If a woman is assaulted by her husband or ill-treated by in-laws or if she is a victim of eve-teasing, chain snatching or if there is an attempt to molest or rape her, she can contact any one of these police stations or officers. She can be rest assured that the policemen will be there to help her at the shortest possible time. I have placed a number of public complaint boxes in some of the important bus-stops, few theatres, in some of the commercial complexes like Spencer's. Women can even drop their complaints into these boxes."

LALITHA SRIDHAR

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