Goa's buses 'not safe' for women -ToI

Goa's buses 'not safe' for women TNN | Dec 20, 2012, 02.55 AM IST PANAJI: The recent gang rape of a 23-year-old woman in a bus in Delhi could well happen in Goa, given that the maximum instances of harassment and molestation of women in the state takes place in buses, say activists. "Conductors often use rude and abusive language, and women are often pushed, touched and insulted making for traumatic travel experiences," says Sabina Martins of women's group, Bailancho Saad. Strongly condemning the rape in Delhi, she pointed out a rather harsh reality, "Rape keeps coming into the public domain and people are temporarily shocked and angered, but then everything goes back to routine." Citing the instance "when a woman was told by the police not to file a rape complaint as her name would become public", Martins lamented that very few rape cases actually get help from the police. "The systems in place are not functioning," she asserted. Agreed lawyer and human rights activist Albertina Almeida. Stressing the "need to mainstream gender concerns in the transport department", she said the transport department needs to have a responsive functioning publicly announced mechanism such as a helpline for reporting sexual assaults against girls and women in transport vehicles licensed by it. "The licences of those who either indulge in or witness sexual assault in vehicles that they drive or conduct and do not report should also be cancelled once their culpability is established by due process of administrative law," said Almeida. Martins advocated the need for training programmes for bus conductors, aggressor-focused awareness drives for men and counselling avenues for aggressive men. She explained that this made more sense than the present women-centric awareness drives, as men are usually the aggressors in crimes against women. It's a point that Nandita de Souza, a paediatrician and the director of Sethu, recommends too. "I don't think women should do anything more to remain safe. The enforcement of laws, speedy justice and sensitive handling of cases are essential for curbing crimes against women," she stressed. The head of the NGO that deals with child development and family guidance also feels that "proper sex education has to be given to both boys and girls, and both should be taught to respect each other irrespective of religion, social class or region". "This should be a part of the education system, as we are a society ridden with inequalities," she stressed, pointing out that "rapes also happen in rural areas, but unfortunately only urban rapes are highlighted". Almeida stressed the need for police sensitization and refresher courses for police personnel in dealing with crimes against women. Asked if training in martial arts would benefit women in protecting themselves, Martins said, "Anything that makes a woman confident is welcome". http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Goas-buses-not-safe-for-women/articleshow/17684807.cms