Facts about eve teasing...

The expression “eve teasing” is Indian origin, the word is not found in the dictionaries. And native speakers of English don’t use it.

Increasing number of eve teasing in urban places in India compelled the local authorities to take a serious look into the problem. The growing instances of the murders, of women for rejecting the love of the man had rocked the nation and now the serious thought is given on the reasons for these crimes.

The expression “eve teasing” is Indian origin, the word is not found in the dictionaries. And native speakers of English don’t use it.

As per the popular idea the expression eve teasing is a euphemistic in post-colonial India and refers largely to sexual harassment of women in public places, where a women is an “eve “ temptress who provoke men into states of sexual titillation. This popular perception of sexual harassment posits the phenomena as a joke where women are both a tease
and deserve to be teased.

Growing incidents like a bike pulling up at college bus stop and the man on the bike shouting lewdly at a college girl, come with me –Rs 300 for night; a car loaded with men pulls out of a driveway of a market shouts at a woman- do you need a ride-we will take you where ever you want and pay for it; the woman gets humiliated and outraged. The laughing and
passing lewd remarks of an eve teaser can leave a permanent psychological mark on a woman.

Studies show that 32 percent of the eve teasers are students, 35 percent are anti-socials while the 33 percent are middle-aged men.

An increasingly large number of college going girls and other women taking public transportation in all metropolitan cities in India have resorted to carrying pins, pen-knives and even daggers as a deterrent. Others have taken self-defense classes and don’t hesitate to hit.

In India, every 51minutes a woman is sexually harassed; every 21 minutes one woman is molested. Eve teasing is something that a woman has to contend with everyday.

So what is it with Indian men and eve teasing? Is it the frustration of sex or just another mode of fun?

According to a recent article by a popular actress about eve teasing, the cause of this horrific behavior is the images being splashed across the media. I can partially agree with her. Indian movies and advertisements play a major role in propagating and encouraging this
behavior. Many Bollywood movies depict scenes of eve teasing, showing this behavior as a way to win a woman’s heart. Others show this as a behavior for men indulge in some fun at a woman’s expense of course.

Many psychologists believe that sex; love or fun is not the only motive that the men indulge in this behavior. Eve teasing is closely related to the patriarchal mindset of Indian male. Men are raised to believe that they are more powerful- physically and emotionally than women. They feel that they are doing nothing wrong- having some fun. Women on the other
hand are made to feel vulnerable and the weaker sex.

But it’s incorrect to blame Indian men entirely. There exist dichotomies among Indian women too. On one hand Indian women voice on equality of gender but at the same time tacitly approve the advertisements, movie and private songs where a woman is shown upon as only a sexual object. They also demand reservations in parliament; jobs- they want men to
vacate the seats in buses. Is it fair for women to demand equality and at the same time slogan for reservations based on sex?

Eve teasing may sound obscene and harmless in its behavior but this act has sometimes resulted in rape and even death of victims.

What are the options women have to avoid being eve teased?

- Travel with a male escort
- Ignore
- Dress appropriately. Don’t attract attention!

The Indian government has already passed many laws against eve teasing and sexual molestation but this behavior is seldom reported to authorities. In cases where it is reported the law enforcement agencies take little or no action. Stricter laws are public humiliating of eve teasers alone will not solve the problem; a whole hearted support is needed this remark made by a policeman during a march against eve teasing in Delhi-“It (molestation) was bound to happen… the kind of scanty clothes girls wear these days; they deserve it.”

The answer lies in educating Indians about gender equality and the rights of women. Street plays, marches, public speeches, articles and even door-to-door propaganda against eve teasing will help in spreading public awareness.