STAND UP AND STEP UP

“My body is not public property” – this sentiment echoes strongly among women of all ages who rely on public transport. For many, public spaces, meant to foster collective use and living, often become battlegrounds where they navigate with constant apprehension and fear. Sexual offences in public spaces are globally prevalent, almost a customary experience of womanhood.

Akshara Centre has long been committed to addressing and combating sexual harassment in public spaces. Our safety walks, conducted with local residents and students, focus on identifying areas where sexual harassment is most prevalent and building actionable solutions. Building on our efforts to shift the gender narrative in the media, we launched the “Jagah Dikhao” campaign in October 2023 in collaboration with the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC). This campaign emphasised the critical role of bystanders in making public spaces safer for everyone. In August 2024, we introduced the Marathi version of the campaign, “Jaga Dakhava,” to broaden its reach and amplify its impact across Maharashtra.

The shift in focus to bystanders stemmed from compelling feedback we received:
● A senior male bus conductor with 32 years of service shared that he has witnessed around 100 instances of women passengers facing sexual harassment on buses.
● A woman bus conductor with 15 years of service shared that she was often approached directly by women passengers seeking help, especially in crowded buses where they preferred sitting or standing near her or other women passengers.
● A woman bus conductor with 7 years of service recounted her own experience of sexual harassment when an older male passenger groped her while she was seated at her assigned spot.

Sexual harassment thrives in silence, but we can change that through involvement of women, bus personnel, and fellow commuters. #JagahDikhao empowers bystanders – women, bus personnel, and fellow commuters – to step in when harassment occurs. The campaign fosters a culture where no one remains a silent observer.

Watch our campaign video here to see how we’re taking steps to reclaim public spaces and encourage everyone to stand up and step in.