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Despite stringent laws, women remain far from feeling safe in most public spaces. A spate of incidents in just the first three months of 2025 highlights how vulnerable women are — especially in public transport. A 23-year-old woman sustained severe injuries after jumping off a train to escape an assaulter. In another shocking case, a pregnant woman who was allegedly pushed out of a train following an attempted rape suffered a miscarriage. Harassment is a regular ordeal for women in unreserved train compartments and on government buses. Who is accountable for this grim reality when society claims to champion women’s empowerment? In their seminal work, Why Loiter?, Shilpa Phadke, Sameera Khan, and Shilpa Ranade argue that when society says it wants to protect women, it does not strive to make public spaces safer. Instead, it seeks to confine women to homes, schools, or the care of others. Even today, women must constantly consider the time of day they travel, wary of venturing out after dark or before sunrise.
A necessary starting point is affirming that women have the right to live and move freely — without fear. While easier said than done, a recent Delhi High Court ruling has set an example. The court upheld the conviction of a man who sexually harassed a woman on a public bus in 2015, calling it a “deeply concerning reality” that harassment in public spaces persists despite decades of independence and tough laws. The court rightly pointed out that judgments in such cases serve as crucial signals to society. Until a harassment-free environment is created, conversations about women’s progress will remain hollow. Equally significant is the Supreme Court of India’s decision to stay an Allahabad High Court order that had outrageously ruled inappropriate touching of a minor did not amount to attempted rape. The top court’s response sends a clear and much-needed message: such “totally insensitive and inhuman” interpretations of the law are unacceptable. The responsibility does not lie with the judiciary alone. Administrative bodies must ensure that streets are well-lit, police are trained to handle cases of harassment effectively, and all vacancies in law enforcement are promptly filled. Without a coordinated, all-encompassing approach to safety, women will continue to live in fear, denied their rightful access to public life.
Published – March 28, 2025 12:10 am IST
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Women unbound: On women’s safety and public spaces
