By Team FI
Members of Penkoottu, a collective of women workers in the unorganised sector in Kozhikode, Kerala, held a demonstration in the city today as part of their ongoing campaign against sexual harassment on the streets.
The group was protesting the arrests of six of its members on 3rd March following a skirmish with a group of men when the women attempted to catch some eve-teasers at a bus stand.
The women were part of a 10-women squad formed by Penkoottu in order to put an end to sexual harassment on the streets of the city. This was organised as a part of the International Women’s Day this year.
On 3rd March, the squad comprising of women from an age group of 19 to 45, while confronting some molesters, were attacked by a group of men intending to protect the alleged molesters. A verbal brawl ensued with the men shouting that they would not let these men be humiliated in public by a group of women. Several of the men began to hurl abuses at the activists. The police intervened and arrested the activists. However, they were released after few hours.
A group of men argue with the Penkoottu activists at the bus stand: Photo by Satheesh
“It is absurd that the police arrests us instead of arresting those men who don’t let our women walk freely on the streets” says Ambika P who is part of the squad. “We will be doing this squad work till March 8th but if we get more support we will make it part of our regular activities,” she said.
The previous day, on 2nd March, the squad had caught two molesters red-handed at the Kozhikode bus stand and one of them was handed over to the police. The activists alleged that the other molester was taken to a corner by the traffic police under the pretext of arresting him and then allowed to escape.
“It is time we start a collective campaign against these street criminals in Kerala. We need put an end to this ongoing harassment. Not even single political party has ever taken up a campaign against these perverts,” says Viji P, a member of Penkoottu.
Kerala is notorious for street sexual harassment against women. Women get groped even in broad day light in public places. According to the data available with the State Crime Records Bureau (2009- 2010) Kozhikode topped in the number of reported street harassment cases (eve-teasing) in Kerala.
Those who wish to be part of the squad can contact Penkoottu at penkoottu@yahoo.com
സ്ത്രീകളെ ഉപദ്രവിക്കുന്നവരെ കൈകാര്യം ചെയ്യാന് പുരുഷന്മാര് മുന്നോട്ടു വരണം. ഞരമ്പ് രോഗികളുടെ പക്ഷം പിടിക്കുന്ന പുരുഷന്മാര് പുരുഷ വര്ഗത്തിന് തന്നെ അപമാനമാണ്. കോഴിക്കോട്ടെ മാനം കെടുത്തുന്ന സദാചാര പോലീസുകാര് ഞരമ്പ് രോഗികള് അഴിഞ്ഞാടുന്നത് എന്തെ കാണുന്നില്ല. സദാചാര പോലീസ് മുഖം മൂടി ഇട്ടു വരുന്നത് ഇത് പോലുള്ള ഞരമ്പ് രോഗികള് ആകാനെ തരമുള്ളൂ. എന്തായാലും ഈ കൂട്ടായ്മയ്ക് എല്ലാ വിധ പിന്തുണയും.
Great to read that kerala women are coming out and taking strong stand against the harassment of women on the streets. I hope what you have started in Kozhikodu will spread to the other parts of the State where it is much needed.
In feminist solidarity,
Dr. Kochurani Abraham
University of Madras, Chennai
Congratulations to penkoottu for hte bold step. Shame on our police to arrest the activists instead of the molesters. It shows very clearly that we women have to have our own PEN KODATHI and activist polices!
I wish we could develop our own protective measures!
Thresiamma MAthew,
Archana Women centre
Kottayam
This collective action by penkootu deserves appreciation. It is alarming to note that public and private spaces in kerala are becoming more and more unsafe for women. Equally dangerous trend is that often public debates in media regarding sexual harassment end up by blaming women’s dress and behaviour. Sane gender sensitive voices are suppressed as voice in the wilderness. Interventions like this may help in curbing the menace to a certain extent, but for a real change in mindset of the people, gender sensitization have to be happened in all levels of the society, were both men and women start seeing women’s issues as social issues. Let us start this by creating a gender sensitive environment in our schools, where our kids grow up with mutual respect and healthy gender relations.
Dr.Amruthraj.R.M
Kollam
Yes, that is what we have to do. The majority of men and women will think as per the social conventions. .the ideas for social change will come Always come from the thinking persons,male or female. It is not really a fight for a particular gender, deeply thought, it is a fight for justice to all. The core point of the debate is that justice should not be denied to anybody on the basis of Her or his gender.that is why it ibecomes a social issue and the right thinking people ,male or female, should be concerned about it.the ruler does not give up his/her advantages easily..the ruled has to constantly fight for their space and equal justice.the young has to be sensitized on this line and the girls should be compulsorily given training in martial arts in schools.morecthan the physical strength what they gain in the trainig will be mental strength to face adverse situations. It also teaches descipline.