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Picture Courtesy:  THEHINDU

Context

The National Commission for Women (NCW) released the National Annual Report & Index on Women's Safety (NARI) 2025 report, highlighting the safety challenges urban women face across 31 Indian cities.

What is National Commission for Women (NCW)?

It is a statutory body established in 1992 under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990.

It is responsible for reviewing the constitutional and legal safeguards for women, facilitating the redressal of grievances, and advising the government on all policy matters affecting women. 

It is composed of a Chairperson, five members, and a Member Secretary, all appointed by the Central Government for a three-year term.

Highlights of NARI 2025

National Safety Score: India scored 65% on the safety index, with cities ranked as “much above,” “above,” “below,” or “much below” this benchmark.

Safest Cities: Kohima, Visakhapatnam, Bhubaneswar, Aizawl, Gangtok, Itanagar, and Mumbai topped the list due to strong gender equity, civic engagement, and women-friendly infrastructure.

Least Safe Cities: Patna, Jaipur, Faridabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Srinagar, and Ranchi ranked lowest, reflecting weak institutional responsiveness, patriarchal norms, and poor infrastructure.

Harassment Trends: 7% of women reported harassment in 2024, rising to 14% for women under 24. Verbal harassment (58%) was most common, with neighborhoods (38%) and public transport (29%) as key hotspots.

Reporting Gaps: Only 20% of victims reported incidents to authorities, with just 22% of complaints registered and 16% acted upon. 75% of women lack trust in police and legal systems.

Workplace Safety: 53% were unaware of mandatory Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) policies.

Time-Based Variations: 86% felt safe in educational institutions during the day, but safety perceptions dropped sharply at night.

NARI 2025’s Role in Addressing Women’s Safety

Beyond Crime Statistics: Unlike National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, NARI 2025 captures unreported harassment and perceptions.

Policy Framework: The report supports schemes like Safe City Project, Mission Shakti, and Nirbhaya Fund by providing evidence for targeted interventions.

Holistic Approach: It frames safety as a developmental issue, encompassing physical, psychological, financial, and digital security, aligning with India’s inclusivity goals.

City-Level Insights: Rankings highlight best practices (e.g., Kohima’s civic participation) and gaps (e.g., Delhi’s weak infrastructure), guiding urban planners and policymakers.

Challenges to Women’s Safety

Social and cultural issues

• Deep-rooted patriarchy: Societal norms that normalize male dominance and view women as subordinates perpetuate gender-based violence.
• Victim-blaming: Prevalent culture of blaming victims for crimes discourages women from reporting incidents due to fear of stigma and social backlash.
• Economic dependence: Financial dependency on male family members limits women's ability to escape abusive situations. 

Implementation and Judicial gaps

• Delayed justice: Prolonged and inefficient legal processes erode public confidence and discourage victims from seeking justice.
• Low conviction rates: Despite tougher laws, conviction rates for crimes like rape remain low (4.3% in Delhi), partly due to lax investigation, poor forensic evidence collection, and delays.
• Ineffective fund utilization: Funds allocated for women's safety, such as the Nirbhaya Fund, are underutilized due to bureaucratic hurdles.
• Ineffective implementation of laws: Only 29% of districts have confirmed that local committees exist to address sexual harassment at workplace, as per an RTI study by Martha Farrell Foundation.

Law enforcement issues

• Insufficient policing: A low representation of women in police forces (only 11.7% in India compared to a 24.7% global average) affects the sensitivity and efficiency of investigations.
• Police insensitivity: Lack of gender-sensitization training among police personnel leads to insensitivity in handling complaints of gender-based violence.

Urban and technological challenges

• Lack of safe public spaces: Poorly lit streets, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient public transport make women vulnerable to street crimes.
• Night-time insecurity: Drop in safety perceptions after sundown is linked to poor lighting and lack of surveillance.
• Cybercrime: The rise of online harassment, cyberbullying, online stalking, and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images poses a new challenge to women's safety.

Government Initiatives for Women's Safety 

Legal and Institutional Measures

• Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023: Stricter penalties for sexual offenses, including the death penalty for the rape of minors.
• Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs): Financial aid to states for FTSCs to expedite rape and POCSO cases.
• Women Help Desks (WHDs): Special desks in police stations, led by women officers, to make them more approachable for women.
• Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013: Mandates Internal Committees (IC) for addressing workplace sexual harassment. 

Emergency and Support Systems

• One Stop Centre (OSC) Scheme ("Sakhi"): Provides integrated support (medical, legal, counseling, shelter) to women affected by violence.
• Universal Women Helplines: The 24/7 toll-free helpline number 181 is integrated with emergency services.
• Mahila Police Volunteers (MPVs): Connects police with communities to assist women in distress.
• Project Stree Manoraksha: Trains counselors at One Stop Centres to provide trauma-informed mental health care to women affected by violence. 
• Nirbhaya Fund: Non-lapsable corpus fund financing projects like One Stop Centres and Safe City initiatives.
• Safe City Projects: Uses technology and infrastructure to enhance public safety in major cities, funded by the Nirbhaya Fund. 

Technology and Awareness

• Investigation Tracking System for Sexual Offences (ITSSO): An online tool for police to monitor time-bound investigations in sexual assault cases.
• National Database on Sexual Offenders (NDSO): Tracks repeat sexual offenders for use by law enforcement agencies.
• Cybercrime Portal: Allows reporting of cybercrimes, including obscene content, and aids investigations through Cyber Forensic Labs.
• SHe-Box: An online portal for women to file complaints regarding sexual harassment at the workplace. 

Way Forward to Enhance Women’s Safety

Policy and Judicial Reforms

• Effective Fund Utilization: Ensure timely and transparent use of schemes like the Nirbhaya Fund by strengthening project monitoring.
• Faster Justice: Fully operationalize Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) with dedicated resources for quicker handling of sexual offense cases.
• Sensitize Judiciary: Implement mandatory gender-sensitization training for judges and court staff.
• Legal Aid Expansion: Extend free legal aid and literacy programs to empower more women, especially in rural areas. 

Law Enforcement Reforms

• Increase Women's Representation: Recruit more women into police forces, including leadership roles, for more empathetic policing.
• Enhanced Training: Improve police training on gender-based violence, focusing on empathy and trauma-informed approaches.
• Better Response: Strengthen emergency response systems (like 112) for faster dispatch and better coordination.

Safe Urban Planning and Public Spaces

• Feminist Urbanism: Design cities with safety as a priority, including well-lit streets, safe public transport, and designated safe zones.
• Transport Safety: Ensure public transport is safe and reliable, with features like CCTV, panic buttons, and GPS tracking.
• Audit Public Spaces: Conduct regular safety audits of public spaces in collaboration with women and local communities. 

Technology and Data-Driven Solutions

• Robust Reporting: Strengthen and publicize online reporting tools like the cybercrime portal and SHe-Box.
• AI for Safety: Utilize AI for predictive policing and real-time analysis of crime data to target high-risk areas.
• Digital Literacy: Provide digital literacy training to women for online self-protection and effective use of safety tools. 

Societal and Cultural Change

• Gender Sensitization: Implement comprehensive gender sensitization programs in schools, workplaces, and communities to challenge patriarchal norms.
• Empower Women: Enhance women's economic independence through education, skill development, and employment to reduce vulnerability.
• Community Policing: Promote community policing models and bystander intervention programs to foster collective responsibility.
• Responsible Media: Encourage media reporting that focuses on systemic issues and survivor stories, avoiding sensationalism. 

Conclusion

The NARI 2025 report highlights unsafe urban conditions for women, highlighting the need for urgent reforms in urban planning, institutional accountability, and cultural change. 

Source: THEHINDU