OUTRAGE OVER HARASSMENT OF WOMAN AT BUS RANK

MANZINI - Women’s rights groups have expressed outrage over the harassment of a woman who was photographed wearing torn jeans at the Manzini Bus Rank.

They have described the incident as a clear violation of her rights and are calling for an end to the objectification and harassment of women in public spaces. The groups are also urging government to take action to protect women’s rights and ensure that they are not subjected to such violations.

The woman was walking at the Manzini Bus Rank on Tuesday afternoon, wearing a pair of torn blue jeans and a white top. In a circulating video, she is seen carrying a pack of mealie-meal, while those believed to be public transport workers and possibly members of the public, are screaming and saying unpalatable words.

Challenged

Others were suggesting that she was psychologically challenged. It is worth noting that some women were also part of those who were booing and photographing her. Women in Law Southern Africa (WLSA) Board Chairperson, Thabisile Mavimbela, was of the view that women were objectified. She said many a times, men wore just as they pleased and nothing was done to them. Mavimbela said women too, were human beings, who deserved the right to dignity and respect, regardless of how or what they were wearing.

The Board chairperson alluded to that in ancient times, when there was absence of clothes, women used to reveal their breasts and this was a norm. “This is a clear indication of the violation of women’s rights and loss of human respect and humanity. It shows the absence of ubuntu. You can’t just do as you please with a person who has chosen to dress in a certain way. It shows that we are a sick generation, with no regard for women’s feelings,” Tsabedze said.

Afraid

Most of the time, she asserted that women even found themselves being afraid to report such matters because they were also victimised. The Board chairperson further recommended that government should enforce stringent laws to protect women. Tsabedze said women’s rights should be made as important as the rights of animals. One Billion Rising Director Colani Hlatjwako condemned those who photographed the woman who found herself being humiliated. She also warned against the circulation of the video.

“We can imagine the pain she experienced while she was being harassed, as well as the circulation of the video, which essentially doubles the pain. We call upon the law to deal with people who perpetrate violence using social media, because this is becoming prevalent in society and sometimes results in the loss of lives,” Hlatjwako said. The director added that such acts portrayed animosity. She said it was clear that society was full of abusers who justified abuse and shifted the blame to women.

Abuse

"We need to understand that there is no excuse for abuse. In spite of a person’s dress code, no one has the right to violate the other. Even babies and elderly women are abused, and this shows moral decay in society,” she quipped.
Hlatjwako mentioned that although there were laws against violation of people in society and social media, it was high time for those laws to tighten the grip on the perpetrators.

She extended sympathy and compassion to the woman who received such treatment at the bus rank. The director also encouraged her to get psychological counselling to deal with the trauma she experienced. She stated that she could access the counselling services at the National Psychiatric Referral Hospital or with One Billion Rising.
On the other hand, during an interview with some conductors, they were of the view that they were appalled at the dress code of the woman, claiming that it did not sit well with them.

“As men, we feel our rights and feelings are not being considred, because, how do you reveal your assets and then expect our bodies not to react?” they said. They were of the view that they were provoked and were against the wearing of revealing clothes. Some were of the view that they were making noise and photographing her to teach her a lesson to never appear in public wearing revealing clothes.

This is not the first incident to happen, as in 2012, this publication reported about a teenager who was harassed by public transport workers at Nhlangano Old Bus Rank.  The public transport workers felt the skirt was very revealing, having stated that they felt disrespected by the teenager.

Teenager

According to sources who were present at the bus rank, the workers went wild upon seeing the teenager, estimated to be 17 years old, entering the bus rank from the direction of Richfield Restaurant.She was reportedly wearing a checked skirt, a top and black high heel shoes on a Tuesday afternoon.

The teenager was reportedly surrounded by the noisy public transport workers, who allegedly used their cellphones to take pictures of her after allegedly trying to forcefully undress her. It was also alleged they produced money in the form of notes and coins and asked the woman how much she was selling her body for. In spite of what the public transport workers said to justify their actions, the women’s groups remained adamant that there was no justification for harassing anyone based on dress code.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: