When Will Women Truly Feel Safe?
Raipur: The question of women’s safety continues to trouble society despite legal safeguards, policy measures and growing awareness. Many women still say that the simple act of travelling alone after dark carries a sense of fear that has not disappeared even in an era shaped by technology and rapid social change.
The concern resurfaced recently when a city newspaper carried a headline that read, “In the capital, one has to walk with fear at night while returning home.” Though the article referred to problems in public transport, the sentiment behind the line reflected a deeper reality for women. From adolescence to old age, many women admit that they have experienced an unspoken anxiety while travelling alone after sunset at least once in their lives.
Women today participate actively in education, employment and a wide range of professions. In many households they contribute substantially to family income. Yet these responsibilities often require them to travel late, sometimes alone, and the journey home can become a moment of uncertainty. The fear of harassment or violence continues to remain at the back of the mind.
This raises a larger question. The world has entered the age of artificial intelligence and digital technology. Governments have framed laws and policies aimed at protecting women and law enforcement agencies are expected to implement them strictly. Despite this, concerns about safety persist, both outside and, in some cases, even within homes.
Observers say that improving safety cannot be left to the state alone. Citizens, both men and women, must recognise the causes behind insecurity and work collectively to address them. Only then can society create an environment where women feel genuinely safe.
The issue has also shaped social attitudes. In some families, restrictions still exist on women working outside the home or travelling late. Parents often prefer early marriage for daughters. While such views are frequently criticised as conservative, they are also shaped by anxiety over safety and by reports of crimes that dominate public discussion.
At the same time, women remain central to the progress of society. A well educated and confident female population is widely recognised as the foundation of a developed nation. Women therefore have to participate fully in every sphere alongside men if society is to move forward.
Experts say several practical measures can strengthen safety. Parents are increasingly encouraging daughters to learn self defence skills such as judo, karate and taekwondo. Training in these disciplines can build confidence and help individuals respond in difficult situations.
Women travelling alone often rely on additional precautions. Carrying pepper spray, sharing live location details with family members, and informing relatives about the details of a cab driver are steps many consider necessary. Mobile applications allow travellers to keep location services active so that family members can track their journey in real time.
Institutional arrangements also play a role. In metropolitan areas, many corporate firms and call centres provide pick up and drop facilities for women employees working late shifts. Hospitals, where doctors, nurses and healthcare workers must respond to emergencies at any hour, are also expected to provide safe transport arrangements for night duty staff. Some institutions have already introduced such measures.
Law enforcement agencies say they have strengthened safety systems as well. Police patrols operate across cities during the night and a number of helplines are available for women facing distress. The toll free number 181 provides legal assistance, counselling and emergency support. The women’s helpline 1091 and the national emergency number 112 can also be used to seek police help. CCTV surveillance across public roads and important locations is another step intended to deter crime.
At the policy level, the Union government has introduced gender sensitisation programmes in educational institutions across the country. Through workshops, training sessions and seminars, these initiatives aim to promote awareness of gender equality, challenge social prejudices and prevent discrimination and violence based on gender. The programmes seek to encourage mutual respect between men and women and to create a fair and dignified social environment.
Ultimately, many social thinkers argue that the solution lies not only in enforcement or technology but also in values. Women have played a decisive role in India’s journey from the freedom movement to the highest constitutional offices and even in space exploration. Their contributions underline the need for a society that respects and protects them.
The responsibility therefore begins at home. Parents are urged to teach children, especially sons, the importance of gender equality and respect for women. A culture built on these values, they say, can help ensure that every woman moves through society with confidence, free from fear and able to fulfil her responsibilities with dignity.
Article by
Dr.Saroj Parate
Govt Ayurvedic college
Raipur
