Kerala might have made progress in women's literacy and women empowerment but it is "unsafe" for girls and women to venture out alone even during day time, a survey has said.
According to a survey conducted among women in the State capital by Sakhi Women's Resource Centre, an NGO here, 99 per cent of 200 respondents said the city was 'unsafe territory' for women to travel alone.
Thampanoor, the junction where the main bus terminal and Railway Station was situated, is stated to be one of the most unsafe areas in the city for women,it said.
Another major problem encountered by women travellers, particularly in public transport system, was the physical harassment in buses faced by girl students and women.
Fortytwo per cent said that they had undergone some sort of harassment in buses.Middle aged men were the main culprits, it said. Eve-teasing was rampant after sun-set in almost all parts of the city.Twenty-one per cent of women complained that they have to hear comments and remarks with sexual undertones when they walk on the road and wait for the bus at terminals.
'There are many reasons for this kind of behaviour and the sexual attitude of Keralites is an issue in which no healthy discussion had taken place,' Sakhi Director Aleyamma Vijayan told.
{{/usCountry}}'There are many reasons for this kind of behaviour and the sexual attitude of Keralites is an issue in which no healthy discussion had taken place,' Sakhi Director Aleyamma Vijayan told.
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