Eve Teasing and Access to Public Spaces

Abstract

This study attempts to extend previous work on harassment by establishing eve teasing as identical to gender-based public harassment. The purpose of this qualitative research is to highlight women’s eve teasing experiences, their reactions to such incidents, perceived causes, and the consequences that follow. The sample consisted of twenty-eight women categorized into four age groups: (18-25), (26-32), (33-40), and (40-60). In-depth semi-structured interviews were collected, thematic analysis resulted in the formation of six broad themes. Results indicate that eve teasing causes fear and restricts women’s access to public spaces such that they are forced to adopt a number of self-protection strategies in order to safely navigate public spaces, such as altering their attire when stepping out, accessing public spaces with a male companion, modifying their behavior in public, sharing live location, etc.