Recently, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) released a troubling insight painting a grim picture of women’s safety in India. The latest annual report has revealed a distressing surge of 4% in crimes against women in India throughout 2022. The report further detailed a substantial escalation in reported crimes against women, soaring from 3,71,503 cases in 2020 to 4,45,256 cases in 2022. Compared to 2021’s 4,28,278 cases, the 2022 statistics marked a troubling increase.
The stark reality depicted by the above data highlights the relentless surge in crimes against women in India. This not only casts a shadow of fear over women’s safety in public spaces but also severely constrains their freedom of movement. The prevalent threat looms ominously, infiltrating every aspect of their lives, from their ability to pursue education and employment to their basic right to leisure. Moreover, this atmosphere of insecurity severely affects women’s capacity to react effectively in times of crisis, perpetuating a cycle of vulnerability and distress.
In 2020, Youth Ki Awaaz and the Observer Research Foundation conducted a survey titled “Women on the move” over ten months before and during the pandemic, with participation from 4,262 women across 140 Indian cities. The survey was primarily conducted to understand Indian women’s experiences better using public transport and the impact of safety concerns on their mobility choices.
56% of urban Indian women say that they were sexually harassed in public transport, but only 2% of them reported it
The survey “Women on the move” highlights the alarming prevalence of sexual harassment against urban Indian women in public transport, with a staggering 56% reporting such incidents at some point in their lives.
Despite this prevalent issue, only 2% of these cases were officially reported. Of the 56%, 33% took action themselves, while 33% did not find it safe to take any action, 26% chose to ignore the situation, and 6% sought help from other passengers. This indicates a profound lack of trust in the authorities’ ability to handle such matters sensitively and effectively.
While women defending themselves in challenging situations is truly commendable. It is equally important to recognize that women should not bear the sole responsibility of fighting for their safety and the authorities should be there for women in adverse circumstances.
Women not having trust in the authorities and handling harassment on their own might not always work and must not always be relied upon as a sole means of protection. In many cases, situations involving harassment or violence can escalate quickly, making it difficult for individuals to react appropriately or effectively defend themselves, especially if they are caught off guard or outnumbered by assailants.
Furthermore, relying only on self-defense places the burden of safety solely on the victim, rather than addressing the root causes of harassment and violence or holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.
To encourage more women to report harassment cases, law enforcement must prioritize building trust and offering support to survivors and have a victim-centered approach which means the needs and preferences of survivors are prioritized throughout the reporting and investigation process.
The survey also revealed that 30% of women stated congestion (crowd) was the cause for feeling unsafe while using public transport, while 18% women felt the most unsafe at the interchanges (bus stops,train platforms, traffic lights) etc. At the same time about 72% of the women did not even know the emergency contact numbers for transport services. This statistic is crucial because it highlights specific areas of concern for women’s safety while using public transport.
What Can Be The Way Forward
Hence, as stated in the above survey, to make public transportation safer for women, the government can:
- Increase accessibility and approachability of surveillance and monitoring authorities in public transport to address women’s safety concerns. Sensitise bus drivers, conductors, and transport authorities to create a safer environment.
- Install CCTVs in key transport junctions to address the lack of surveillance, as cited by 46% of women. This proactive measure can deter perpetrators and provide crucial evidence in case of incidents, enhancing women’s confidence in using public transport.
- Improve visibility and accessibility of emergency contact numbers for transport services, as 72% of respondents were unaware of them. Display advertisements warning against harassment alongside emergency numbers and helpdesk information to empower women with essential resources while traveling.
- Additionally, ensure clear display of route, fare, and timing information to enhance transparency and reduce misinformation, contributing to women’s safety and confidence in using public transport.
In conclusion, the survey highlights the urgent need for concrete measures to address sexual harassment in public transport. With only 2% of incidents reported, there’s a clear imperative to improve safety measures and empower women to feel secure while commuting.