Key facts
- Women in India are often told to regulate their behavior, dress modestly, or stay home to avoid sexual violence.
- Feminist activist Kavita Krishnan describes this phenomenon as a widespread form of gender-based violence.
- Meena Kandasamy states that regulating women's behavior is easy and signals to parents that the problem is being handled.
- A survey found 65% of women in New Delhi and 29% in Bengaluru experienced harassment in public spaces in the past year.
- A 2024 study indicated women's mobility in India is low and tied to education or employment, with little freedom for leisure.
- A female minister from Bihar commented that 'moral policing can be done in a more decent and elegant fashion.'
Recent incidents of sexual assault in India, including a viral video of men harassing teenagers in Jamui, Bihar, and an alleged gang rape in a Delhi park, have highlighted the persistent issue of gender-based violence. In response, authorities and societal norms often place the burden of safety on women, advocating for measures such as curfews, dress codes, and restricted access to public spaces. This approach, described by feminist activist Kavita Krishnan as a widespread form of gender-based violence, is criticized for failing to address the root causes of sexual violence and patriarchal structures.
Feminist author Meena Kandasamy argues that regulating women's behavior is a convenient solution that requires no institutional cost and reassures parents that the issue is being managed, rather than tackling the perpetrators or societal conditioning. This repression occurs at family, societal, and state levels, with families imposing curfews and dress codes under the guise of protection, communities engaging in moral policing and victim-blaming, and the state restricting access to public areas without addressing the underlying safety concerns.
Kandasamy likens this treatment of women to that of a precious object to be locked away, rather than a citizen, member, or adult. Students, such as Vedyana from Lady Shri Ram College, are pushing back, demanding safer public spaces with adequate lighting and functional facilities, arguing that restricting access is equivalent to stating parks are only for men. Surveys indicate a high prevalence of harassment in public spaces, with women's mobility largely confined to education and employment, leaving little room for leisure.
Political responses have also drawn criticism, with some officials downplaying incidents or suggesting more 'elegant' moral policing. The lack of accountability reflects a political culture where consequences for crimes against women are often optional. Students are calling for political parties to pledge not to nominate individuals accused of sexual harassment. The issue extends to Parliament, with a BJP politician accused of sexual harassment by wrestlers, though he was acquitted by a magistrate. An analysis of parliamentarians revealed that several winning candidates declared cases related to crimes against women.