KABUL (SW) – In a series of interviews, at least 25 women interviewed by Salam Watandar report that they have experienced physical and verbal harassment “from men” while being in public and secluded places.
Among these women, 14 say that while being outside their homes, they have been insulted with vulgar words by men, and 11 others report experiencing physical harassment such as being touched and collided by men.
The interviewed women add that they have been harassed mostly by teenagers and young men, and this harassment has negatively affected their presence in society and their ability to go to recreational places.
Some of these women say that despite fully adhering to hijab during urban movements, they have still been subjected to harassment by men.
Nastaran, a resident of Kabul, says, “Even if we are wearing hijab and appropriate clothes, we still face verbal harassment and unwanted physical contact. In markets, men try to get close to women or use vulgar and obscene language, which is very distressing.”
Another Kabul resident Halima also explains: “Even if we wear long clothes and wrap ourselves in our shawls to avoid being spoken to, it still happens, and if someone harasses us, imagine how we feel.”
A significant number of women interviewed for this report also mention the low level of education of men as a reason for street harassment of women by them.
Out of a total number of women who spoke in this report, 14 of them say they have been harassed mostly by the individuals who have low level of education and awareness, however, 11 other women interviewed, report that the level of education does not affect the urban manners of individuals, and they have experienced street harassment from both educated and uneducated people.
Fawzia, who has experienced “sexual harassment” in public, discusses the impact of education regarding this matter: “Educated people don’t want to tarnish their character by harassing others, and street harassment usually comes from the lower classes of society.”
“I don’t think it’s related to the level of education. Even when we see educated individuals, they still make inappropriate comments,” said Somaya another girl who also experienced sexual harassment in public.
Women interviewed for this report say that after being harassed on the streets, they have experienced psychological distress.
Karima, one of the victims of street harassment, who has faced psychological problems, says, “One morning, as I was going to work, a young man, about 20 years old, was standing at the end of a deserted alley as if waiting for someone. When he saw me, he slowly moved toward me and then ran towards me halfway, suddenly reaching out his hand toward my body. I was very scared, my hands and feet trembled, and it later led to me becoming a recluse and having a significant impact on my mental state.”
Among the women interviewed for this report, 14 say that due to the street harassment they have experienced, they fear going to public places and cannot leave their homes with peace of mind. “My worst experience was in the market of Lisa E Maryam area, where men often try to touch women’s parts of boy in public places”, said Hadiya.
Another interviewee from Kabul, Arezo, added: “I avoid going to places where I don’t have to, to avoid harassment, because when I go out, other people’s behavior worsens my situation.”
“I go out less due to the fear of harassment because the inappropriate comments made by people have a very negative effect on our mental state,” said Shamayel.
Husna Raufi, a women’s rights activist, believes that low education levels, lack of awareness, and disregard for urban culture are primary factors contributing to the harassment of women in public and private places in Afghanistan.
“other major factors contributing to the increase in street harassment are the lack of educational and work opportunities. As a result, sometimes harassers’ behavior and actions lead to harassment in the streets,” she said.
Ahmad Rashed Sediqi, a social affairs expert, also says that, considering the negative impacts of street harassment on women in society, the government is responsible for taking measures to address and eradicate this dilemma.
He added: “The government or the system of governance in place should consider harassment a crime and establish specific laws against street harassment. Religious scholars, as voices heard in the community, should raise awareness, and teachers, who deal with education and upbringing, have a responsibility to inform people about the harm and negative consequences of such behavior. These are the groups that shape society, and when harassment is eliminated, it means that education, culture, and positive relationships are developing, and we can have a society free from all challenges.”
Meanwhile, officials at the Ministry of Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (MoPVPV) of the de-facto government have sent a written message to Salam Watandar, stating that no formal complaints regarding street harassment of women by men have been registered with the ministry to date.
