VietNamNet Bridge – The National Road Safety Commission has asked the authorities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to conduct surveys at the places and bus routes where women are being sexually harassed.

According to a survey by ActionAid Vietnam and the Hanoi-based Research Centre for Gender, Family and Environment in the two cities, 57% of women (16 years old and older) said that the street is at the highest risk of sexual harassment, while 31% of school girls said they had been sexually harassed on the bus.

Although the survey was conducted with only 2,046 people, it has reflected the risk of physical and dignity harm to women who use public services, said the National Road Safety Commission.

This study also points out other public places where women are at risk of sexual harassment as bus stations, parks, and bus stops.

The Commission has recommended that Hanoi and HCM City investigate to determine the locations, bus routes and roads where sexual harassment against women often occurs and to take measures to warn and prevent this phenomenon, as well as enhance public lighting, and publicize police telephone numbers and messages on how to respond to sexual harassment.

This agency has also called for women to boldly denounce their aggressors to the authorities when they face sexual harassment and other acts of abuse.

Le Ha