Mannequins to judge extent of street abuse

Chennai: Mannequins that have placed in four corners in the city as a campaign against gender violence have been covered by stickers, three days into them being exhibited, showing the extent of street sexual harassment that is faced by women daily.

People can paste stickers on the body part of the mannequin corresponding to their body part where they have been groped, pinched or been touched inappropriately.

Sexual harassment, faced mostly by women and transgender people, is often seen as a trivial issue, and termed 'eve teasing', said Ragamalika Karthikaya, the programme officer at Prajnya.

“Many also keep quiet thinking it was their fault. It has been looked upon like a small, internalised issue that people don't prefer talking about,” she continued.

“The initiative came from a friend's idea and it is to spread the word that it is not a small issue. Also, many don't speak out, and this is to bring people together and speak out - they should know that it has happened with others and with them, so it can't be a small issue,” she added.

The mannequins have been sourced from Sundari Silks and Trans, and anybody who has faced harassment on streets can paste stickers, which are available with the mannequin, on it.

The mannequins have been placed at Shree Ayurvedic Hospital, Chamiers Cafe, Women's Christian College, and one at PCVC, an NGO. The mannequins will be displayed at a public forum on December 10, the last day of the campaign to sensitize people about the seriousness of harassment on streets, said Ragamalika.