Preventing gender-based harassment and violence on public transport: A randomized evaluation of normative and bystander interventions in Bengaluru

This study evaluates interventions designed to shift the permissive social norm that tolerates the harassment of women on public buses in Bengaluru, India. Anchored in Bicchieri’s theory of social norms—which posits that behavior is shaped by empirical expectations (what people believe others do), normative expectations (what people believe others think should be done), and optionally sanctions—the project tests whether targeted campaigns can alter social beliefs and public behavior in a high-density, weak-deterrence environment.

We implement a four-arm randomized controlled trial across Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation bus routes. The arms include: (1) a normative expectations campaign to create a shared definition of harassment and it being wrong, (2) a sanctions campaign to encourage informal enforcement through bystanders, (3) a combined campaign, and (4) a control group. The intervention is designed with the Centre for Social and Behaviour Change (CSBC), implemented by Durga, and evaluated by J-PAL South Asia.

Randomization occurs at the route level. Over an 18-month project period, with intervention rollout lasting 6–9 months, we will conduct baseline, midline, and endline surveys with passengers and monthly surveys with bus drivers. We will also track administrative data on panic alarm use to capture real-time incident response. Qualitative interviews, focus groups, and video documentation will provide explanatory depth and materials for scale-up. Cost data will be collected to support cost-effectiveness analysis.

Practically, the project offers scalable strategies for gender-equitable public safety. Conceptually, it advances understanding of norm change mechanisms. Distributionally, it prioritizes women, gender-diverse individuals, and low-income commuters most affected by public harassment.