New Delhi: The Uttar Pradesh State Women Commission has proposed a series of measures aimed at curbing potential harassment of women by restricting men from tailoring clothes for women or cutting their hair. The recommendations, presented in a meeting on October 28, are intended to protect women from unwanted advances and inappropriate physical contact.
The proposals suggest that only female tailors should take women’s measurements for clothing to be stitched and that CCTV cameras should be installed in tailoring shops and salons to monitor interactions. According to Himani Agarwal, a commission member, the initiative was introduced by the commission’s chairperson, Babita Chauhan, and received backing from other members in attendance, as per a report in the Telegraph.
Also read: ‘Completely High-Handed’: Supreme Court Chastises Adityanath Govt Over 2019 Demolition
Speaking to ANI, Chauhan said, “I just want to say that you should keep boys in the parlour too, whoever wants to, can get it done by boys. But, they have to give it in writing that I am doing this with my own will. Secondly, wherever these employees are, their police verification must be done.” She also suggested that gyms should consider gender-specific policies in their staffing, particularly in roles that require close physical interaction with female clients.
“It should only be female barbers who should attend to female customers,” Agarwal told PTI. She emphasised that the proposal arises from the commission’s concerns over instances of harassment and alleged inappropriate behaviour. “We are of the view that because of men involved in this type of profession, women are molested. They try to indulge in bad touch. The intention of some of the men is also not good,” Agarwal explained, though she clarified that not all men have ill intentions.
According to the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report, Uttar Pradesh reported the highest number of crimes against women in India for 2022, with a total of 65,743 cases. This marks an increase from 56,083 cases in 2021 and 49,385 cases in 2020, Frontline reported earlier this year.
The state led the country in incidents of kidnapping of women (14,887 cases), dowry-related deaths (2,138 cases), and cases of torture by husbands and relatives (20,371 cases). Uttar Pradesh ranked second in reported rape cases with 3,690 incidents and also recorded the highest number of “murders following gang-rape,” with 62 cases reported.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) recorded 28,811 complaints of crimes against women last year, with approximately 55% (16,109) of these cases originating from Uttar Pradesh, reported the Hindu. Many on social media have commented on how, traditionally, a gigantic section of Indian tailors are Muslims.
The commission plans to present this proposal to the state government, with the hope that these suggestions may effect future legal measures.
