New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India today concluded a national symposium on “Women’s Safety at Work & Public Spaces” at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, with a focus on enhancing safety measures for women. The symposium, chaired by NHRC Acting Chairperson Vijaya Bharathi Sayani, brought forward several recommendations aimed at addressing the persistent challenges women face in workplaces and public areas.
Sayani emphasized that despite significant progress in legal provisions and policies for women’s empowerment, women continue to face barriers that must be tackled holistically. She noted that incidents of violent sexual abuse are not isolated, urging collective efforts to improve the criminal justice system, hold perpetrators accountable, and strengthen support mechanisms for survivors.
NHRC Secretary General Bharat Lal highlighted the increasing participation of women in India’s workforce and public spaces, particularly among those aged 18-30. He called for society to work collectively towards enhancing women’s safety. Ajay Bhatnagar, Director General of NHRC, stressed that violence against women stems from unequal power dynamics and underscored the need for equity-driven approaches to address the issue. He also cautioned against media and films glorifying harmful behaviors like stalking, which influence societal attitudes.
NHRC Joint Secretary Anita Sinha reflected on the psychological trauma women face due to sexual violence, which can discourage other women from participating in public life. She called for collective efforts to prevent such incidents, especially in light of recent high-profile cases.
The symposium also featured discussions from representatives of various government ministries, national commissions, and law enforcement. They outlined several initiatives, including the Nirbhaya Fund, Mission Shakti, the Safe City Project, SHE-Box 2.0, and enhanced surveillance efforts like increased CCTV coverage and improved city lighting.
Key suggestions from the symposium included:
- Conducting safety and social audits of cities and institutions in collaboration with professional organizations.
- Ensuring stronger implementation of laws and policies to improve women’s safety in both public and private spaces.
- Promoting gender sensitization at all levels, from schools and workplaces to law enforcement and top management.
- Introducing media guidelines for reporting crimes against women.
- Encouraging bystander intervention to report crimes more effectively.
- Ensuring workplaces maintain functional Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) to create a safer work environment for women.