Daily Times

Sir: Many a time women have reported being witness to indecent exposure and nudity in busy public places and on municipal roads such as University Road. Some perverse miscreants flash their genitals at unsuspecting women, usually from rickshaws, and shamelessly continue to do so even after the intended victims look away. Incidents of groping are becoming common as well. These immoral men inconspicuously touch and grope women in buses or in overcrowded places such as in bazaars and pedestrian overhead bridges and then slip away without being noticed. Not only is this an act of sexual harassment, immense vulgarity and obscenity, it is also a public offence. Yet the perpetrators are rarely caught, let alone punished. These incidents are even dismissed as the ‘unavoidable hazards’ of being a woman’ and the victims are expected to quietly bear the humiliation, tolerate the culprits and get on with their lives. Disrespect of women is a common thread running through people that indulge in such acts. The gravity of the crimes they commit varies only in degree. If proper action is not being taken against these transgressors, then we women will take matters into our own hands. I advise all women to be vigilant while travelling in public transport and in public places and if someone gropes you or sexually harasses you, react to the situation accordingly. If you are in a crowded, familiar place then hold the culprit on the spot and publicly humiliate him in front of everyone and also learn some basic self-defence to get out of serious situations.

ZUNERA SIDDIQUI

Karachi