The right to privacy is a fundamental human right, essential for maintaining personal boundaries and a sense of security. However, this right often becomes compromised for students living in hostels. The shared nature of hostel life frequently leads to a notable reduction in personal space and privacy, raising concerns about security and comfort.
Hostel environments are particularly challenging for women who are unaccustomed to the shared living conditions. Many girls from non-joint families struggle with the concept of constant visibility, which can be even more daunting when it involves interacting with the opposite gender.
In today’s climate, where awareness of crimes against women is heightened, the presence of male staff in female hostels can be a source of anxiety. “The increasing number of crimes against women has made us more cautious and often suspicious of those around us, even if they do not have criminal intentions,”. This heightened awareness affects how students perceive and interact with the male staff in their hostels.
In many hostels, the majority of the staff are male, with few female workers. For instance, in my hostel, the only female staff member is the one responsible for cleaning the washrooms. This lack of female presence can exacerbate feelings of vulnerability. It’s difficult for us to maintain our privacy when we constantly have to be on guard, especially since many girls aren’t used to covering up all the time.
There have been numerous instances where female students have found themselves exposed, simply because they were caught off guard by the presence of a male worker in their corridor. Although these workers are usually present for maintenance or other necessary tasks, their presence can be unsettling. We understand that male staff are here to do their jobs, but their frequent and often unannounced presence creates a sense of unease.
While it is important not to cast aspersions on male staff members, the concern for privacy and safety remains paramount. Increasing the number of female staff could help mitigate these concerns. Additionally, if male staff must be present in the hostel, proper communication should be established to alert residents of their presence. This would allow students to take necessary precautions and maintain their sense of security.
In conclusion, maintaining privacy and ensuring safety in a hostel setting is crucial. By addressing these concerns through increased female staffing and better communication about the presence of male staff, hostels can create a more secure and comfortable environment for all residents.
Midhat Fatima
B.Sc.
Safety and privacy are crucial to maintain in hostel for female residents. It has been an ongoing conversation but WHY are we talking about it?
The reason being both are basic human rights. Before striving for women in work field,safe environment should be maintained.
It should be noted that ‘though it is safer it is not safe’.
Some of the facets that exacerbates condition of girls in hostel:
- The mass male employment in the premises of women residential is a concern of many especially women who practice purdah . Traditional jobs catering , sweeping and kitchen work are given to men.
- Apart from privacy it also threatens the safety of women. It is imperative to point some men employed inside the residing area have laxity in morals and behavior.
- Adult women are prohibited from going outside because hostels foster restraining culture. It reaches the extent that medical and emergency outings are rejected.
- The condition of confinement reaches its sublime when it averts the very reason for living in hostel , EDUCATION. It has to be understood that in a fast paced world as we live in today, mere degrees will lead them nowhere.
- Excessive safety measure lead to psychological bondage in the minds of young girls who are deprived of self confidence , exposure, social connections and networking .
SUGGESTION:
“The beginning of reform is not toleration but liberty” – Plato.
There should be a balance between Balance between safety and freedom
Mehar Ahmad
B.A
The issue of women’s safety in academic institutions and hostel spaces has long been approached reactively, with heightened attention only when high-profile cases of violence, such as rape, surface. However, the prevalence of crimes against women — with reports of a rape every 15 minutes — clearly indicates that sporadic outrage and temporary measures are insufficient. The key to sustainable safety lies not in waiting for crises to emerge, but in proactively empowering every woman through continuous training and self-defense education.
From childhood, girls are often discouraged from activities like driving or physical sports under the guise of safety or traditional gender roles. This protective mindset leaves women dependent on male figures for security, creating environments in academia and society where they are often outnumbered or outmaneuvered, exacerbating the risks of violence.
To address this, we must shift from a protection-based approach to one of empowerment, where women are equipped to safeguard themselves without external reliance.
Training women to be their own defenders — as capable and confident as commandos — can provide a permanent solution to these safety concerns. Daily self-defense training, integrated into educational curricula as essential as academic learning, would foster an environment where women are empowered to create and control their own safe spaces.
Additionally, the government should implement long-term self-defense initiatives, akin to mid-day meal schemes, recognizing that safety is as fundamental as food for survival. By shifting the focus from reactive measures to continuous self-empowerment, we can create academic and hostel spaces where women feel inherently secure, and where crimes against them decrease not because of protective barriers, but because they have the skills and confidence to defend themselves at every moment. This proactive, lifelong commitment to training and empowerment will ensure that women are not merely surviving, but thriving, in safe academic environments.
Pooja Singh
PhD
In girls’ hostels, ensuring safety and privacy is very important. This summary looks at the main issues and challenges. Key concerns include having strong security to prevent unauthorized entry, dealing with privacy issues in shared rooms and common areas, and addressing problems like harassment and bullying.
It’s also crucial to have good emergency plans, support for mental health, and to manage different cultural and personal practices well. Training for hostel staff is essential to handle these issues properly.
A clear set of rules, good communication, and support systems are needed to make sure the hostel is safe and respectful for everyone.
Ayesha Bano
BFL