Are We Really Doing Enough For Women’s Safety?

May 28, 2018

stop violence against women — Image used for representation only

With rising cases of rape, eve-teasing, acid attacks and sexual assault, women’s safety has become a huge case of concern and debate in our city. Despite many effective measures taken to enhance the safety measures for women, there are still incidents reported every other day in the city.

Recent data points to an increase in the cases of crime against women in the city.

Pune365 spoke to a cross section of women professionals in the city to ascertain their views and suggestions on controlling crime against women.

“The entire city should be well connected and to prevent crime, the design for urban development must be planned in a manner to ensure the safety of women of our city,” opines Asha Kate, an activist

The city police should build further on the safety measures they have launched and enhance their efficacy through latest technology.

Women of our city are no longer restricted to travelling from home to office and they often need to stay out late nights and this is of greater importance today.

Public transport has always been an issue in the city, though there are buses specially reserved for women, the frequency of these buses should be increased.

A Safe environment will save our women, Kate adds.

Women in the city are in constant fear of stepping out of the house, quips Advocate Krutika Gaikwad.

I think self-defence training should be provided in schools, colleges, offices and to housewives, It should be made mandatory to take these classes.

There are many apps which are specially designed for women safety and such apps must see greater awareness to increase their use in Pune.

Women protection cells should be available at main bus stops, railway stations, late night working areas and other public places with the help of volunteers.

Every public transport vehicle including PMPML ladies special buses should be GPS enabled and tracked, Gaikwad adds.

Kaushiki Gaikwad, software professional says, “Girls in the society are never safe, and the crime rate has been increasing day by day. The city has many migrants and their safety should be the priority.

The city should launch a city-based app for women in the city, which will send an emergency message to all the contacts including the nearest Police station and control rooms. The app should be GPS based geo enabled to alert everyone in the contact list of the victim. Ideally, the app should also be able to auto-dial one of the contacts in an emergency.

It should also have the contact no of all the nearby police stations, ambulance and hospitals. And more importantly, it should work without internet or even out of courage areas.

The City Police have started the ‘buddy cop’ for working women in the city, but not many people are aware of it, they should focus on building greater awareness in schools, colleges, housing societies and corporates,” Gaikwad adds.

The city’s security with the aspect of women safety has been pathetic, their helplines don’t work, the control room is a big disappointment quips Ruchika Mahtre, call centre executive.

There are thousands of working woman in the city, travelling from different nooks and corner of the city. Firstly they should have efficient helpline facilities, secondly, they should have policemen along with lady police constables every 3-4 km at night at least in the IT hubs, and college areas.

Effective and quick measures should be taken to punish the culprits with swift conviction rates. Educating more and more people in the city, Free training for martial arts, self defence classes for every woman in the society should be started on a priority basis by the city administration.

The society should react quickly rather than being just spectators to crime. New laws consisting of severe punishments should be introduced to protect women,” adds Ruchika.