Women feel safe in Mumbai, but prefer to be cautious during festivals

Mumbai may be the safest city in the country for women, but few horrifying incidents are still fresh in people’s minds. But who can forget the night when a couple of girls were groped and molested by hooligans outside a hotel in Juhu when they were coming out of a New Year bash?

Psychiatrist Yusuf Matcheswala feels that the otherwise safe city might not be so safe for women on 31st night. “There are various reasons why men behave the way they do during such parties. Being in a crowd men think they can get away with anything. Also, when people are intoxicated, their inhibitions are lowered.”

He blames it on the herd mentality wherein many don’t come forward to help others and prefer to just be silent spectators. “People get carried away and in their ‘excitement’ to safeguard other’s rights.”

Ambika Sharma, a 28-year-old Mahim resident, stays alone in the city, but makes sure that she isn’t alone during late hours New Year’s or for any other occasion. “If I’m out I make sure that I’m with people whom I trust, don’t drink too much.”

Ruchi Mehta Jain, a 26-year-old Fort resident, feels more secure when her husband is around. “Even a group of women are not safe, as men feel that they can take advantage of the fairer sex.”

But comparison to other cities, Mumbai gets a thumbs-up when it comes to security. “I wouldn’t say that our police are not helpful, but they do have their weak points. The authorities should be more friendly and trustworthy so that people can come forward without hesitating and complain,” says Vidya Prabhu, a 54-year-old Mulund resident who has gifted her daughter a chilli spray for protection.