Over the last 3-4 months I have been working with @OxfamSriLanka on conducting research in #lka (Specifically Colombo, Kandy, Killinochchi, Batticaloa, & Katunayake) to understand social norms around #SGBV on public transport. Here are some of the findings that came out

that I found particular interesting. Our respondents were aged 18-40 and came from a wide range of educational levels, sectors. martial status etc. They included students, sex workers, transpeople, Free Trade Zone workers & institutional stakeholders (police, CTB personnel etc.)

Across both age groups and all districts participants characterised ideal women as being submissive “accepting male dominance”, obedient, nurturing, dressing decently with their primary responsibility being to look after their children and home #lka #ENOUGHSriLanka

In Colombo with the largest representation of the LGBTIQ community and sex workers, the issues faced by marginalized women was raised – e.g transwomen said that would not speak up when being harassed as their voices could give away that they were not ‘real women’.

However class played a role - upper class women did not have to fulfill these roles as well as women with disabilities. In Batticaloa “After the war, most widows are fighting against this & there are most women headed households in the east and people are accepting the fact”

Respecting women and ‘being decent’ were key traits associated with the ideal man – being from a good home-suggesting class dynamics play a role. The idea of harassing women or disrespecting women while seen as common and expected, was not considered a trait of the ideal man

In Batticaloa it was noted specifically that men would be mocked by neighbours for doing care work and that the community would call men ‘lazy’ if they were not engaged in work outside of the home and upholding the family financially #lka #EnoughSriLanka

Women’s clothing playing a determining role in her harassment or the level of harassment faced was a key and strong norm. Bystanders would be more or less likely to support based on this and would also have a direct impact on the attitude and support from law enforcement

In CMB participants said that if the woman was wearing a shalwar and could be identified as Tamil, people “in the bus will take her side”. If she were “a lesbian” & dressed in an ambiguous/masculine way, people would be confused about her gender identity and not support her.

In Kilinochchi younger respondents said women should dress in a way that does not attract attention – if they do dress like this and are harassed then it will be their fault for dressing in such a way. Older respondents also said her clothing will play a role in how she is viewed

Participants from Katunayake described an incident when a victim attempted to file a complaint, “But what the Katunayake police station did was keep talking about her. Saying that what’s so surprising that men getting erections when a girl wears like this and all”.

Sex workers and transwomen said they are seen as transgressing gender norms and thus face more harassment than ‘normal women’. Women working in the garment sector of the Katunayake Free Trade Zone said they are targeted as they are seen as indecent women who ‘dress differently’

Bystanders were primarily seen to be apathetic and bystander intervention was seen as uncommon. They should be concerned for their own safety in terms of not intervening in issues. The idea that intervening would also make the situation worse (i.e. anger the harasser) was key.

Respondents said that most bystanders do not intervene as if they get involved, they may have to face unnecessary problems such as going to court and to go through a long legal process that would take time and energy. Most would not intervene.

It was also perceived as taking on an additional and unnecessary burden. A female participant said that the majority should stay silent because if they interfere they’ll likely get into police cases saying that they have to go to work and they have other work as well.

In Katunayake a participant said “if it’s a man they’d say like that man is trying to score marks [from the victim] by acting too cool and being over smart. And if it’s a woman they’d say she’s showing off and trying to score marks”

A low trust in law enforcement to be supportive and handle issues related to SGBV was prevalent, as well as concerns around the practicality of being able to prove the incident took place (tied in with the apathy of bystanders). It was perceived as taking on an unnecessary burden

The issue of the legal process being long and onerous was also highlighted as a key reason why victims do not make complaint as well as why bystanders do not get involved. Many people do not have the time to spend in courts etc #lka #EnoughSriLanka

A KII respondent from a CSO said, “Personally, I wouldn’t bother going to the cops. I’d rather put a post on social media and defame them because the police would probably just pat him on the back and say I’m sorry you got caught next time do it in a better, smarter way”

The norm that good women do not complain, yell or hit perpetrators even if to defend themselves came out strongly with older participants. Respondents said the view was that a “cultured & homely girl” would not fight back, she would be silent as an example of her good upbringing

Women said hitting a perpetrator was seen as an acceptable response if no one else intervened and if the harassment continued. They said that if women speak out other girls/Women in the bus and outside in the community would hear this and be empowered and be more courageous.

It is not normal/common for survivors to speak out and complain. There was a lot of evidence of strong social sanctions against women speaking out: Women being blamed by perpetrators and bystanders based on how they’re dressed, time of day.

Women choosing whether or not to speak up was influenced by how the harasser may respond, positioning her as a ‘bad woman’, examples given were that he may scold and blame her, he may claim that this girl had sex with one of his friend’s that’s why he spoke to her.

Respondents also said that if a woman who was harassed talked to her family about her experience, they would curb her freedom and tell her to stay home. Women felt that staying silent or enduring harassment was a price they had to pay for freedom of movement/travel

Younger participants said that women who share their stories publicly are seen as heroes and find support from circles outside of their communities who may not support them. Social media sharing has been good in garnering support outside of limited circles and changing the convo

It was seen as a woman’s responsibility to respond to sexual harassment and speak up for herself. Addressing sexual harassment centered around changing the actions and behaviours of female passengers/survivors rather than perpetrators.

A CTB conductor said: “The victim has to speak up and inform the relevant personals or if she cannot do that she can move from the place she was in. If the victim, ask us to change her position we can do that for her" #lka #ENOUGHSriLanka

In Batticaloa younger respondents said that a woman traveling alone is ‘tempting men’ or asking for it. Bystanders and the community would expect the woman to stay away from such men. The perception is that to avoid harassment women should not travel alone or at night

Overall the perpetrators and their actions were not centered as the root of where the issues take place, it was about the victim & external factors. In the suggested strategies for change suggestions focused on the survivor changing their behaviours to avoid/respond to harassment

A key norm around male sexual entitlement – that “Men need to fulfil their needs- common/normal for them to do so”- came out strongly in FGDs in Kattunayake and Kandy. This was underpinned by the belief that men do harass and though it may not be “acceptable” it is expected.

We will be conducting a few more discussions and interviews before we begin work on the final report. The findings of the report will inform a campaign led by @OxfamSriLanka called #EnoughSriLanka to address the issues of #SGBV on public transport in #lka #SriLanka. Follow them!