WINGS 2018 World of India’s Girls A study on the perception of girls’ safety in Public Spaces

Executive Summary

Interaction in public spaces is a crucial component for the development of girls in their early and late adolescence as they prepare for a life of adulthood. The opportunity and ability to interact in public spaces enable them to get their education, exchange ideas and thoughts with their friends and peers, and offer overall development. It is essential for the girls to develop a world view, to pursue a career, or even go out for recreation or run errands. Such exposure is paramount for girls to become self-confident in their interaction with the world outside their homes, and also to become capable to pursue gainful employment and become self-reliant.

But public spaces, while bringing opportunities, are also accompanied with the spectre of fear and abuse. Girls fear and experience various forms of harassment in public spaces – from lewd remarks, inappropriate touching to physical and sexual assault. These incidents/affronts happen on streets, narrow by-lanes, in the neighbourhood, in and around schools, in public transport, public toilets, in parks, in local markets ,malls and restaurants, among others.

In 2013, the United Nations Commission for the Status of Women (CSW57) identified various forms of sexual violence against women and girls (SVAWG) in public spaces as a distinct area of concern, and called on the governments to prevent it. This requirement also reflects in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development that has set “the elimination of all forms of violence against all women and girls in public and private spheres” as one of its specific goals (Target 5.2). The New Urban Agenda of 2016 too commits to promoting a safe, healthy, inclusive, and secure environment in cities and human settlements for all to live, work, and participate in urban life without fear of violence and intimidation. However, safety in rural spaces has not been discussed much even though a larger population resides in rural areas as well as semiurban peripheries of cities.

Harassment of girls in public spaces is a widespread phenomenon in urban and rural India, jeopardising the protection and care of children. This lack of safety in public spaces not only violates the girls’ right to security and mobility, but it also leads to violation of rights provided to children in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and United Nations Convention on Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women(UNCEDAW) .