Delhi Accident: How Safe Is The Capital For Women Travellers

The recent incident of a woman being dragged for over 10km by a car has left everyone questioning the safety measures in New Delhi. The situation is even worse for women.

With so many horrific cases where women were targeted in the capital calls for establishing if the city is actually safe for women travellers.

What Do Numbers Say?

According to the National Crimes Record Bureau report of 2021, Delhi begged the title of being the most unsafe metropolitan city in the country. The National Capital Region continues to make headlines every day when it comes to crimes against women.

According to June 2022 reports, a woman was travelling in the Yellow Line metro when a man approached her asking for help with an address and sexually harassed her.

This was not just an isolated case. A survey published in the Hindustan Times stated that at least 40% of women in Delhi were sexually harassed in 2015. Many of those incidents happened in public spaces like the metro, parks and buses.

In October 2022, India Today reported that about 88% of women living in the capital have been sexually harassed but only 1% of them reported it to the police.

Day in and out, many women share their encounters with perverts on Twitter. Long threads make news headlines but that is about it. People would comment and flag the issue, but the scenario never change?

Free Bus Rides & CCTV Installation - A Response To Women's Safety

Since the AAP government took charge of New Delhi, there have been many freebies given to the public. Don’t get me wrong, they are all good. But are they appropriate measures to curb crimes against women?

A user on Twitter pointed out that the Delhi government gives freebies when asked about the safety of women in the capital. The person might just be joking around, but it makes you wonder that the steps taken by the Centre and state governments can only help to catch the culprit after the crime has already taken place.

Delhi : we need safety for women

Delhi Government : Ok, free Wifi for you all

Delhi : No, we need safety for women

Delhi Government : Oh ok, Free travel for women in Metro and Buses

— Pakchikpak Raja Babu (@HaramiParindey) June 3, 2019

When we are questioning if New Delhi is a safe city for women travellers, we want to know how crimes are prevented here.

A woman appropriately pointed out that freebies do not empower women. They are capable of paying their bus fare. It is the safety during the day as well as the night that would help them get out of their houses and earn money.

I'm a woman & I travel in public transport of Delhi & I believe this step is making women dependent

It's not empowerment rather a sort of slavery where where u vote for a party & they give u Freebies

I want safety in public transport,rest I can bear my expenses @ArvindKejriwalpic.twitter.com/PL1foswo3Z

— Harsha (@harshaag_15) November 2, 2019

Another user said that women are a part of the workforce and contribute to the economy. Therefore, they can bear the travel expenses. However, what is unbearable is molestation, harassment, abduction and numerous cases that one hears every day.

Don't Miss: 9 Things Women Must Know About Reporting Sexual Harassment At Workplace

Many news outlets have also carried out experiments where their hosts (both men and women) were subtly captured walking the streets of Delhi at the night. In most cases, there was a striking difference between the experiences shared by both.

Women saw bike rides and car drivers stopping to get a good look at them. If you search YouTube, you would find many such videos that are proof of the capital being unsafe for women.

Thread: Women don't want free travel in Delhi @ArvindKejriwal Women are willfully part of the workforce, they contribute to the economy, they can pay for their bus and train travel. What they want is safety on those buses and trains so that they can work and earn!

— Atika Chohan (@atikachohan) June 3, 2019

Personal Experience Of Travelling In Delhi Metro

A small incident happened to me about five years back. I was at the Rajiv Chowk metro station with my friends. For those who do not know, RC is among the busiest stations in Delhi.

When a train comes, people almost stumble upon it to get inside it. The train came, and we all got inside. Amidst all this, a person (I would never know who) ran his hand between my legs and got lost in the crowd.

Don't Miss: 10 Women's Safety Rights You Need To Be Aware Of

If you have ever sat in a group of girls, you would know staring, gawking, crooked smiles, facial expressions and hand gestures are among the most common and tolerated ways in which women get harassed.

Recommended Video

Whether you are travelling via metro, bus, cab or even private vehicle, you have to be extra cautious in New Delhi. The capital is definitely not safe for women, especially in crowded places and at night.