Many significant measures have been taken to ensure the safety of women. But much needs to be still done\
Since 2012, December has become synonymous with a rally of activities around women's safety. However, we need to look beyond the month. A while ago, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ambitious Make in India and Skill India campaigns, one could not help but wonder: Will we witness a much needed ‘Safe in India’ campaignIJ
Statistics put female workforce participation rate at 27 per cent and the Government has emphasised the need for increasing women's participation in the workforce, in its various strategies. However, while social norms and orthodox attitudes are often cited for these poor figures, one rarely acknowledges the fact that women in India do not feel secure enough to participate freely in any sphere — social, political or economic.
Cases such as the rape of a photo-journalist in Mumbai or the BPO worker in a taxi cab in Delhi lead to sporadic rhetoric about women's safety and then die a gradual death. What does remain constant after the media hue and cry has subsided, is a feeling of fear among women and the backlash they face when they raise their voice for their rights. A single instance of violence against one woman in India crushes the dreams of several girls who want to study, work, play and enjoy the freedom that our sovereign Constitution guarantees them.
Also, contrary to the alarm raised by many about ‘streets’ being unsafe for women, a majority of violence happens within the four walls of the home. According to data from 2013, in 97 per cent of the rape cases, the accused was known to the victim .
A number of initiatives have been taken up to stem the tide of violence in both public as well as the domestic sphere. The Dowry Prohibition Act (1961), Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (2005) , the Criminal law (Amendment) Act, 2013, and Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, and fast-track courts have been sound legal initiatives.
However, besides legal remedies which are often ineffective due to the complicated, lengthy and expensive procedures, technology can go a long way in providing aid to women, if it is used effectively and as a supplement to other measures.
In this regard, women's helplines and safety applications (apps) are two resources which have been launched in recent times and possess potential to make a large-scale impact.
The primary purpose of a woman's helpline is to provide women with 24/7 access to safety services. Through a single call, women can find recourse to being rescued from violence, avail of emergency medical treatment as well as long-term counselling, shelter or legal aid . Helplines thus provide immediate and emergency response to women affected by violence as well as the support they need against violence they face on a daily basis by connecting them to NGO, redressal centres and places of safety. Further, helplines offer the advantage of being prompt, confidential and non-discriminatory, giving women the confidence to approach them without apprehensions.
In India, several numbers are dedicated as ‘women's helplines’. Some of these numbers, such as 181, are run by the Delhi Government and were set up within the Chief Minister’s office. Others such as 100 and 1091 are under the direct supervision of the police control room, and yet others such as 103' are run or supported by civil society organisations.
Currently, the various private and public helplines in India are divided by the nature of support sought — police, fire services, ambulance, legal aid or counselling — and by geography (city and State). Some critics have pointed out that, having multiple women helpline numbers across the country is a limitation to gender justice due to a lack of standard operating procedures. Also, in the absence of one single helpline, like 911 in the United States, awareness regarding helplines is low and often confusing for women.
To address this concern, the Union Government has launched a scheme to universalise these helplines by releasing a single all-India helpline. The scheme for ‘Universalisation of Women Helpline' was approved by the Government of India on February 19, 2015, with a total project cost `69.49 crore for implementation through States/UTs with effect from April 1, 2015. The scheme envisages to provide 24-hour emergency and non-emergency response to all women affected by violence both in public and private spheres, including in the family, workplace etc. The idea is to unite all helplines for women under a single number, 181.
In addition to helplines, several safety applications available online, provide emergency support to women with smartphones and internet connectivity. However, when compared, apps which conduct safety audits are more comprehensive and also go beyond providing emergency support. Perhaps the biggest advantage that auditing tools offer is the potential to include the community in the process of auditing.
The tools, when used by citizens, can gather information about safety in their localities which can then be used by public authorities to use for better planning and governance. What this technology offers beyond large-scale information for helping stakeholders to plan safer localities, is a chance to bring about an attitudinal shift in the community living together.
Combined with legal and technical measures, measures to bring about progressive thinking can go a long way to contribute to public spaces and homes that make our girls feel secure, welcome and valued. However, a lot will depend on what we prioritise as a nation. It is time to put ‘Safe in India’ first.
(The writer is senior research associate at IPE Global)