The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has reportedly announced that at gesture that makes women feel violated and uncomfortable such as catcalls, long stares, dropping phone numbers, etc will attract jail terms and fine.

Khaleej Times reports that the Dubai police reiterated the warning as they announced that 19 people were recently arrested after they were found 'harassing and eve-teasing' women on beaches and roads.

Eve-teasing means the making of unwanted sexual remarks or advances by a man to a woman in a public place. It also includes, catcalls and, sometimes, outright grouping.

In the UAE, such a harassment also covers staring at women, winking at them, blowing kisses and commenting on her body. Taking photos of women without their consent is also a crime.

The country's director of the General Department of Criminal Investigation, Brigadier Jamal Salem Al Jallaf, said all women have the right to feel safe, secure and protected, adding that such crimes of harassment are "alien to the culture and traditions of the UAE".

According to Article 359 of the UAE's penal code, a person shall be sentenced to detention for a maximum period of one year or to fine not exceeding Dh10,000 - or both - if he molests a woman through words or acts in a public or a frequented place.

Culled from Legit.ng