Even though measures have been taken to strengthen safety for women, they still feel unsafe
Post Decmber 16 gangrape, women security in Delhi has always been under scanner. If Delhi Police’s statistics are to be believed, it shows that there are been decline in rape cases up to June 15, this year.
The data up to June 15 this year, suggests that 930 cases of rape were registered while molestation cases went up to 1,537. However, if compared, the numbers are lesser than recorded last year within the same period.
Last year, till June 15, 1,018 cases of rape were recorded with 2,020 cases of molestations. Delhi Police claims to have forced a decline in cases of crime against women be it rape, molestation, dowry deaths or cruelty by husband and in-laws. However, the cases of kidnapping have seen a sharp rise from 1,609 reported last year to 1,690 this year.
The trend also shows decline in cases of abduction of women which dipped from 251 in 2016 to 141 this year. Cases of dowry deaths also declined from 76 to 62 this year, the data reads.
Senior police officers claim that the dip in crime against women has been achieved through special drives and focus on targeting the miscreants who indulge in such crimes. “A woman friendly approach and deployment of women officers has also helped in letting the woman step forward to report such crimes, which earlier went unreported,” said Jitendra Pathak, Special Commissioner of Police.
CCTV INSTALLATION
- Taking steps to ensure safety of women in Delhi, the Delhi Cabinet in June had approved the installation of CCTV cameras in more than 6,000 Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and cluster buses from the Nirbhaya fund at an estimated cost of Rs 140 crore. The move aimed to ensure safety of women in the state-run buses.
- The Delhi Transport Department has submitted a proposal to authorise the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) call tenders and sign the agreement for installation of CCTV cameras in 6350 DTC and cluster buses. The project will be funded by the Center’s Ministry of Women and Child Development.
HIMMAT APP
- The app can be downloaded from play store and is free of cost
- User needs to register in app after downloading from store to get registration key(OTP)
- The app has a SOS button, which, if pressed in time of distress, the users location is transmitted to Delhi Police control room
Whenever a women is assaulted or attacked it is we (women) who are questioned for leaving the home alone or travelling late. Why men are not questioned punished for the heinous crime they do. It is easy to point fingers at women but I feel even men be taught how to behave when women are around.
—Kasish Nigam, student
I feel that safety of women’s onus lies on the government. They need to take steps that help curb crime against them. Also, I feel it is not just Delhi where women feel unsafe or are raped, all across India men misbhave with women, which show that we need to teach them (boys) how to respect each person’s space and give proper gender lessons.
—Priyanka Mukherjee, media professional
I don’t feel safe travelling in post 8pm in Delhi. I cannot party around in Delhi, NCR regions till I don’t have a male companion to tag along with. I am sure that If I am alone anyone can abduct me or harm me. During the December 16 rape case, the victim was accompanied by a male friend still she was attack, I feel that people have no fear to police, which is why the crime against women is always on rise.
—Sonal Gupta, professional
Women safety is not up to the mark in the Capital city. Even though police says CCTVs are installed I feel that the legal course is unfair on the victim. Many a times we hear that the accused is set free as his crime can’t be proved. Also self defence classes must be held every month in government run organisation and private firms should nsure women related cases are held with utmost urgency.
—Dibyendu Chaudhury, student
Women safety is a tricky topic. I feel we women have to be self sufficient to tackle safety issues. On the other hand we should tackle this issue at the root cause and sensitise men to not objectify women.
—Akriti Kumar, student
EXPERT SPEAK
Safety of women has been Delhi Police’s top priority, and we have worked hard to bring down the crime rate against women. This has been possible following a number of initiatives which also include introduction of mobile applications like Himmat. Further we have also strengthened our helpline 1096, where people can register complaint against stalkers. We have also conducted self-defence classes to schoolchildren.
Madhur Verma, DCP Crime
It’s sad that Delhi is one of the most unsafe cities for women. Even though I head the Delhi Commission for Women, I fear going out late in the night, and even if I have to, my family is extremely worried till I return home safe. It is a long road till the city will be considered to be safe for women, till then we have to live with is rude fact. But we can’t sit over the issue, all the authorities involved have to take serious steps.
Swati Maliwal – DCW chief
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