NYT: Indian Women Find New Peace in Rail Commute [View All]

Indian Women Find New Peace in Rail Commute

PALWAL, India — As the morning commuter train rattled down the track, Chinu Sharma, an office worker, enjoyed the absence of men. Some of them pinch and grope women on trains, or shout insults and catcalls, she said. Her friend Vandana Rohile agreed and widened her eyes in mock imitation.

“Sometimes they just stare at you,” said Ms. Rohile, 27.

Up and down the jostling train, women repeated the same theme: As millions of women have poured into the Indian work force over the last decade, they have met with different obstacles in a tradition-bound, patriarchal culture, but few are more annoying than the basic task of getting to work.

The problems of taunting and harassment, known as eve teasing, are so persistent that in recent months the government has decided to simply remove men altogether. In a pilot program, eight new commuter trains exclusively for female passengers have been introduced in India’s four largest cities: New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Calcutta.

more at http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/16/world/asia/16ladies.html

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An interesting article. I like the idea of the women-only train, given the situation. We all desperately need some peace of mind. But i wish there were a way to deal with the assholes who harrass women on the trains. Cattle-prod? I don't like how it's used on cattle and in torture, but in this situation, it's sounds quite appealing. :evilgrin: