Stare at nature not women: Karnataka to put up signboards at famous waterfalls to tackle eve-teasers

In a first of its kind move signboards will come up in popular tourist places in Karnataka asking men not to stare at women The intention behind this move is to accord women privacy in these tourist places There have been regular instances of men taking pictures of women tourists at these sites without their permission  

The Karnataka Tourism Department has found an effective way of tackling eve-teasing and increase awareness regarding anti-social elements that operate in popular tourist areas. In a first-of-its-kind the Tourism department is contemplating on putting signboards at popular tourist places asking ‘men not to stare at women’.

It may sound funny, but then humour is one of the best ways to get one’s point across. The Bengaluru city Police knows their social media well and through humourous posts are getting their message on safety across.

According to a report in the Deccan Herald, Naveen Raj Singh, tourism secretary has said that the idea is to make women tourists feel safe. The exact phrasing has not been decided upon but the thought behind is that these signboards should be a clear warning to men not to disturb the peace or trouble women tourists who should also be able to enjoy the waterfalls and tourist places without worrying about lechers and eve-teasers.

The official said that women have the right to enjoy the scenery just like the men do, and that while men are taking in the scenery not to take in additional inputs like the beautiful women and girls and make things awkward. A woman’s privacy needs to be respected and that is the message the Tourism Board wants to promote.

There have been regular instances of men taking pictures of women tourists at these sites without their permission, staring at them, making them uncomfortable with lewd comments and more.

Other boards warn tourists against taking photographs in ‘no-selfie zones.’ But these boards aim to do much more than that.