71% of women feel unsafe in public spaces due to alcohol use: ADIC

• 66.2 percent of women refrained from responding to harassment due to fear
• 77 percent of respondents said they felt most unsafe on public transport
• Report calls for stricter enforcement of existing alcohol control laws, strengthening of the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) Act, and broader societal efforts to challenge attitudes that normalize misconduct under the influence 
  of alcohol

By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama

A nationwide survey has found that 71 percent of women in Sri Lanka have felt unsafe in public places due to the presence of alcohol users, prompting strong calls for government intervention.  

The study, conducted to mark International Women’s Day 2026 by the Alcohol and Drug Information Centre (ADIC), gathered responses from 1,157 women over the age of 15 across all 25 districts.  

According to the findings, 77 percent of respondents said they felt most unsafe on public transport, including buses and trains. Concerns were also reported on roads and streets (43.7 percent), at bus and train stations (43 percent), and in public parks and other common outdoor spaces (26.6 percent). Taxi services were cited by 13.4 percent of participants.

More than half of those surveyed (55.4 percent) reported experiencing verbal harassment from alcohol users, while 48.8 percent said they had been followed or stared at in ways that made them feel uncomfortable. Additionally, 36 percent reported instances of non-consensual touching or physical harassment.  

A further 67 percent indicated that they experienced discomfort due to the behaviour and unpleasant odours associated with intoxicated individuals.  

The survey highlights that 66.2 percent of women refrained from responding to harassment due to fear. Others cited shame (47.6 percent), lack of support from those around them (34.5 percent), and lack of confidence (19.2 percent).  

As a coping mechanism, 67.3 percent said they avoid certain places, 55.4 percent change their travel times, and 27.6 percent request someone to accompany them. More than 41 percent reported experiencing mental distress as a result.  

Notably, 66 percent of participants believe alcohol is often used as an excuse to justify harassment in public spaces.  
An overwhelming 98.4 percent of respondents stated that the government should take action to protect women from alcohol-related harassment.  

More than half called for the introduction of a formal complaint and grievance monitoring mechanism, while 51.2 percent urged stronger implementation of alcohol control policies. Others supported increased public awareness programmes and greater community involvement in addressing the issue.  

Although national data indicate relatively low levels of alcohol consumption among women — estimated at around 1.2 percent, the survey emphasizes that the broader social impact of alcohol misuse continues to disproportionately affect women’s safety and wellbeing.  

The report calls for stricter enforcement of existing alcohol control laws, strengthening of the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) Act, and broader societal efforts to challenge attitudes that normalize misconduct under the influence of alcohol.