The research entitled "Women and Cities : Examining the gender impact of violence and urbanization" was conducted in five countries - Nepal, Ethopia, Cambodia, Liberia and Uganda. [break]
A documentary film shot recently in Kathmandu showed a 2-year-old girl being touched in her private parts while she is perched on the lap of her grandmother, who noticed the matter only after the girl began to cry. The bus was plying through a busy street of the capital.
The videos captured by Action Aid showed several cases of sexual harassment in public vehicles.
Out of 100 females who use public transport on a daily basis, a majority stated that they felt very uncomfortable to travel in buses and micro vans, yet they had no choice. They claimed that such harassments have become rampant due to overcrowding.
The research urges a system for controlling such violence. Besides, it calls for better transport facilities that could make traveling easier for women.
Talking to Republica, Mona Sherpa of Action Aid Nepal said sexual harassment in public vehicle is a very serious matter as it affects many women.
"The issue, however, has never been raised publicly,” Sherpa said. “It is sad that even women police and others who are supposed to understand the problem keep mum and do not take initiative against such violence.”
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