Some 90 per cent of Sri Lanka’s women suffer sexual harassment on public transit

The finding is based on a survey of some 2,500 women carried out by the United Nation Population Fund. About 60 per cent of the victims do not know that harassment is punishable by law.

Colombo (AsiaNews) – About 90 per cent of Sri Lanka’s women suffer sexual harassment on public transit, but only 4 per cent of them file complaints with police, this according to a survey of 2,500 women by the United Nation Population Fund (UNFPA).

The report depicts an alarming problem, especially since most women in the island nation use public transit in their daily activities. It also noted that women tend not to talk about the abusive behaviour out of shame.

Some 74 per cent of those surveyed say they were groped, whilst 52 per cent said that men rubbed their genitals against their body.

A woman, who did not give her name, said she saw "many men touch inappropriately small children, mostly females, for no apparent reason. The same also applies to bus drivers."

The survey found that 60 per cent of abused women do not know that harassment is punishable by law.

"Women should inform the police and seek the help of the authorities,” said L.G. Amarasena, Assistant Police Superintendent at the Women and Children Bureau.  Anyone who receives unwanted attention should call 119, 1938 or 24444444.

Padma Pushpakanthi, national coordinator of the Savisthri women's group, told AsiaNews that women "must have the courage to speak out when they are in similar situations."

• sri lanka
• sexual harassment
• public transit
• survey