Menusha Gunasekara, Matale, Sri Lanka, SSH Blog Correspondent
Yesterday I was terrified with fear and uncertainty. What was disturbing my mind, my confidence and my dreams was seeing my harasser that day. It was not an unexpected event since I knew the harasser lived in the same area I live; I knew someday I would see him again. Unconsciously, I was checking the vehicle number of every red-colored three-wheeler taxi that passed me in the road. I was trying to avoid seeing him, but yesterday I failed.
Two years ago I was harassed by a taxi driver. Not just one time but three times. Although my mother got involved and met with the perpetrator, I never felt I was safe at home. For almost one year I had nightmares about worst-case scenario related to this incident. It was producing a lot of anger inside me.
Many think of street harassment as just an everyday “normal event” but the psychological trauma from a single incident can ruin your life. Nobody would think my hesitation and my reluctance to go in the village area alone comes from the negative side effects of street harassment. On top of that, my knee injury puts me in a vulnerable stage reminding me that I cannot even run for my safety. As a result, after coming home from university, I feel like I have been sentenced to house arrest. The freedom I had to stroll wherever I want seems far away in Sri Lanka.
Moving on from the personal experience to the increased number of harassment incidents in public places, including public transportation, I am aware that my experience is not just a single event alone. Although after the Wariyapola incident there was public and media dialogue about taking actions and social awareness on street harassment, that voice has disappeared. The wave of media attention has gone until the next incident, and there is no steady attention to combat the gendered mentality or to support women who faced street harassment.
A few days ago, I learned about a new initiative from the Women & Children Bureau that allows you to report sexual harassment on public transportation. They have created a SMS service to collect data and an easy way to complain about harassment through the following number: 0716550000. Let’s think positively that this initiative will be reached by the public since many women use mobile phones. At least it is a better way to report to a responsible authority than by going to a police station.
Still, the support for mental trauma has not been addressed by any authority. Places where women can have easy access to counseling and advice to deal with the negative emotions that can hinder their productivity and self-esteem should be established. As the President Rajaphaksha recently claimed that Sri Lanka is a better place for women & children to live in Asia, I just want to remind the responsible authorities, NGOs and public that that statement can be misleading if the root of the problem of harassment is not addressed.
Public awareness and actions are the impetus for creating safe environment for women and everyone.
Menusha is a recent graduate of Asian University for Women, Bangladesh and holds a B.S in Public Health. She is an advocate for Peace and Human Rights, Women Issues and Environmental Protection. She can be reached via LinkedIn.
