EVE TEASING IN INDIA findoutabout.in

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

Eve Teasing in India is very common. There is small story of girl named Riya, a young girl of 14 is a student of class 9 of XYZ girls high school Delhi. She was a poor girl but had an aspiration to help her family for a better life. On her way to school, a boy named Alom used to eve tease her very often. She complained about this incident to the police. Police arrest alom and his friends. Thus, Riya was able to get out of this problem.

Eve teasing is a serious crime, even if it’s not considered as one, as it is harassment of women in public places like the workplace or streets. committed by the accused with a sly whistle, casual touch, humming a suggestive song, etc.

We have also seen Bollywood movies depicting mild teasing accompanied by a song and dance that mostly results in the female protagonist submitting to the male protagonist’s advances in the end. So, many youths tend to replicate this example shown on screen in their real lives; hence referred to as the “Roadside Romeos”.

Women face numerous of types of harassment. Among the harassments, sexual harassment is common in many parts of the world. Harassment in public places, by known and unknown persons, which affect women, is called eve teasing in India. But our Indian laws that penalise eve-teasing, and many more.

Meaning of Eve Teasing

Eve teasing literally means annoying or irritating women. It is referred to as an act of harassing women playfully or maliciously, physically or pshycholgically to make fun, irritate, provoke, annoy, embarrass through comments, remarks, gestures, jokes, physical contact and taunts. it is a unique and euphemistic expression for south Asia, especially in India. It is not used in Britain or in European countries

It is one of the gender-based crimes against women, mostly used as a method of enjoyment for men who sees a woman as an object for fun. It is usually ignored, thinking it is harmless and non-violent, and women usually forget the act after some time. But it must also be considered a serious offence of harassment against women.

What is the psychology behind Eve teasing

Eve teasing is closely related to the patriarchal mindset of the 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 just having some fun.

This is due to various social changes like urbanization, influence of western culture, modernization, and changes in status of women, liberation, and changes due to democracy.

In India, eve teasing affects every woman who dares to come out of her home, in some form or the other. 
Every woman has a private space. Any person entering her private space causes trouble to her or injures her. 
It is noticed in all places like Beaches, roads, cinema halls, buses and in Educational institutions.
it is a manifestation of patriarchal masculinity. Gender segregation and attitude of boys are the cause of this  
teasing behaviour.

Eve teasing is not a problem of the affected victim alone. It is a problem of parents, spouses,  and close relatives 
of the victim. Holi is an important festival in India. As a part of the celebration, people play by throwing colors 
on others. But using this opportunity women are teased or harassed. This shows that eve teasing may 
happen at any place any time and in any situation.

Teachers of psychology and social scientists believe eve teasing to be a result of the frustrations suffered by a majority of youth. Disappointed by the unbecoming attitude of teachers and indifferent parents , they yearn for an outlet to vent their aggression and depression.

Besides , many who do not inherit good values tend to indulge in acts of sexual harassment.

Eve teasing can be seen as a rite of passage for boys on their way to becoming men. Considering that sex is not the only motive , it would be reasonable to conclude that the psychodynamics of eve teasing are closely linked to the issue of masculinity and the masculine agenda.

India’s first sexual harassment law is Vishaka

Vishaka vs State of Rajasthan (1997)

During the 1990s, Rajasthan state government employee Bhanwari Devi who tried to prevent child marriage as part of her duties as a worker of the Women Development Programme was raped by the landlords of the Gujjar community. The feudal patriarchs who were enraged by her (in their words: “a lowly woman from a poor and potter community”) ‘guts’ decided to teach her a lesson and raped her repeatedly. The rape survivor did not get justice from Rajasthan High Court and the rapists were allowed to go free. This inspired several women’s groups and non-governmental organizations to file a petition in the Supreme Court under the collective platform of Vishaka.

The Supreme Court described the acts which amount to sexual harassment, they are:

1. Any unwelcome sexually determined behaviour, either directly or indirectly.

2. Any type of physical contact or advances,

3. Any demand or request for sexual favours.

4. Any sexually coloured remarks,

5. Any other type of physical, verbal, or non-verbal conduct which is sexual will amount to sexual harassment.

The Criminal Law Amendment Act 2013 [viii] brought changes to the Indian Penal Code, 1860 by making sexual harassment an expressed offence under Section 354A. Under this section, the offender will be punishable with imprisonment of 3 years and fine or both. offences like disrobing a woman without her consent, stalking or 
any other type of sexual offence by a person are introduced by this Act.

Legal aspects of Eve Teasing

Eve teasing is a civil wrong. there are certain provisions in the Indian Penal Code, which describes and define eve teasing.

IPC (INDIAN PENAL CODE)

Section 294 IPC

Whoever causes annoyance of other, or does any obscene act in any public place or sings recites or utters any obscene song ballad or words in or near any public place shall be punished with imprisonment of whether description for a term which may be extended to three months or with fine or both.

It’s a bailable offence that protects a girl from men who annoy her by committing any act of obscenity in public.

Section 354 IPC

Whoever assaults or uses criminal forces to any women, intending to outage or knowing to be likely that he will thereby outrage her modesty shall be punished with imprisonment or either description for a term which may extend to two years or with fine or with both.

This section deals with the offence popularly known as molestation.

Section 354A

A man committing any of the following acts—

physical contact and advances involving unwelcome and explicit sexual overtures; or
a demand or request for sexual favours; or
showing pornography against the will of a woman; or
making sexually coloured remarks, shall be guilty of the offence of sexual harassment¹.

Any man who commits the offence specified in clause (i) or clause (ii) or clause (iii) of sub-section (1) shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.

Any man who commits the offence specified in clause (iv) of sub-section (1) shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both.

Section 354D

Whoever commits the offence of stalking shall be punished on first conviction with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and shall also be liable to fine; and be punished on a second or subsequent conviction, with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Section 509 IPC

Whoever intends to insult the modesty of any woman, utters any words, any sounds or gesture, or exhibits object intending that such gesture or subject shall be seen by such woman or intrudes upon the privacy of such shall pe punished with simple imprisonment for a term which any extend to one year or with fine or with both.

This section penalises all acts intended to outrage and insult the modesty of a woman

File an Eve-Teasing complaint

Women to call on 100 (police control room) or 1091, i.e., women’s helpline number at the time of the event, or the victim or complainant must immediately visit the nearest police station to register an FIR. After the FIR is registered, the registration number or receipt will be given.

Criminal law Amendment Act 2013, the provision of zero FIR came up, which requires FIR to be filed in any police station, and the same can be later transferred to the appropriate police station of proper jurisdiction

CONCLUSION

People say women belong to the weaker sections of the community. Hence men dominate women and sometimes men exploit women for their own pleasure. We need strict rules and regulations to control it. There is a strong need for combating this fast-growing problem. eve-teasing might sound less harmful crime but it can turn into a grievous one if not stopped at an early stage. Eve teasing is a wrong against a woman’s honour ,dignity and self respect. It hurts her immensely. We should be respectful to women.