Ugly face of posh city

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Every time an act of cruelty against women takes place in the city, we are reminded of how unsafe the city is for the fairer sex. The recent rape case of a 30-year-old call center employee has once again sent shock waves and scared women, particularly those working late night shifts.

Being the most vulnerable, they insist that the security measures for them need much more than just lip service. And with the new directive that women stranded at night will be dropped home by the PCR van, has left many wondering if they will feel safe with cops.
For 23-year-old mediaperson Ashima Sejpal, the unpleasant incident has made her realise the ruthless realities of the city she chose as her home as she works here. “The city has swanky malls, posh markets, a reputation of playing a perfect host for mega events like the Commonwealth Games. But it also tops the list of the highest number of cases of molestation, rape and murder,” she says as she reminds us of mediaperson Saumya Vishwanathan, who was murdered in 2008 on her way back home from work.
Recently a DU student, working in a Noida mall was allegedly gang raped on her way back home. “To be honest, I am scared,” Ashima adds.
A study by Jagori, an NGO that works on gender issues and has a “Safe Delhi” chapter, highlights how no safety measures seem adequate when it comes to fighting the menace of sexual discrimination and exploitation in the city.
Shikha Davessar, who works in an ad agency narrates how while returning from work, she keeps facing issues that she thinks could have been easily avoided. “Often bikers follow my cab. Or, I find people passing lewd remarks,” she says.
According to director, Center for Social Research, Dr Ranjana Kumari, employers should take additional responsibility for the safety of their women staff. “They must train their drivers with things like waiting for a few minutes after dropping an employee home,” she says.
However, some girls are getting “proactive”. For Saudamini Ali Khan of Gargi College, Delhi, living in an unsafe city is no secret. She says that girls should be more cautious while going to work. “If possible they should move in groups,” she adds.
Ranjana says that there has been a long pending demand for additional security and checkpoints in the city.
Given the reputation of the police, she doubts how young girls will respond to measures like “call 100 to get a drop back home”. “There is a dire need for the police to win credibility so that girls can approach them with trust. Also, a mechanism to punish the guilty should be made active. It will act as a deterrent,” she says.