Capability Approach to Public-space Harassment of Women: Evidence from India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan

Günseli Berik, Haimanti Bhattacharya, Tejinder Pal Singh, Aashima Sinha, Jacqueline Strenio, Sharin Shajahan Naomi, Sameen Zafar, Sharon Talboys

Working Paper Series, Department of Economics, University of Utah from University of Utah, Department of Economics

Abstract: Sexual harassment of women and girls in streets and other public spaces is often trivialized by the label of “eve teasing” in South Asia. While there exists a volume of research on intimate partner or domestic violence in South Asia, the literature on public-space harassment (PSH) is sparse. Based on 2021-22 surveys in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan this paper examines the prevalence and consequences of public-space harassment using the Capability Approach. We used an online survey and snowball sampling through social media to generate both quantitative and qualitative information. We analyzed the data descriptively and coded the open-ended responses based on human capability themes. The responses to questions about twelve specific forms of harassment indicate that the experience of at least one form of PSH is ubiquitous in all country samples. We find that women are not only unable to lead lives free of violence but also deprived of a range of additional capabilities: to enjoy emotional wellbeing, to be physically mobile, to seek educational opportunities, to earn a living, and to be free of restrictions overall. Respondents also articulated future directions for action to reduce experiences of PSH, including legal measures, education, awareness.

Keywords: Sexual Harassment; Human Capabilities; Gender; India; Bangladesh JEL Classification: B54; D63; I31 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 35
Date: 2023
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-des and nep-hme
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