Spotlight on safety of women

City joins global campaign against gender violence

In September, two college girls were victims of acid attack in Tirumangalam, the first incident of its kind in Madurai district .

As the historic city, which was burnt by Kannagi for the injustice done to her, gears up to observe the Global Campaign Against Gender Violence, women opine that a lot has to be done to improve their safety.

“We have complaints from our students of stalking; men approaching them in public places or badgering with text messages and phone calls. This sometimes culminates in eve-teasing,” says Beulah Rajkumar, Director, Centre for Women’s Studies, Lady Doak College.

The college is organising human chains, relays and oath-taking ceremonies during the 16-day campaign to take the message of women’s safety into the public sphere and raise awareness.

“To ensure that girls get the confidence to speak about harassment or violence they are facing, we have started a club to act as a forum to lend them an ear and help in action,” Ms. Beulah says.

The Society for Community Organisation (SOCO) Trust’s free legal counselling system for victims of domestic violence has helped over 70 women last year, its Deputy Director S. Selva Gomathi points out.

“Women are also constantly harassed at public spots, from theatres to bus stops. If a woman feels that anything said or done is affecting her dignity, it should be treated as a threat to her safety,” she says.

Study

“A study conducted at Arapalayam, Periyar and Mattuthavani bus stands shows that there are no proper waiting spaces for women. Many students and women stop over in Madurai before proceeding to other districts and these facilities need to be introduced,” Ms. Selva Gomathi adds. The Hunger Project, in association with Ekta Madurai, is also set to launch a campaign from November 30 in the city.

“Looking at the assaults against women in public spaces and behind closed doors, there needs to be a basic creation of awareness of laws. As more women come out into the public sphere, we need to create a safer society,” Bimla Chandrasekar, Director, Ekta, says.