Cities in have seen rapid expansion in recent decades, but a glaring reality casts a shadow over this growth — around 40% of women report feeling unsafe in their streets, neighborhoods and on public transport. This raises doubts about the effectiveness of urban planning in ensuring real safety and dignity for women.
Mumbai ranks safest, Delhi among the worst
“Having lived in Delhi and now in Mumbai, I find Delhi streets are poorly lit and unsafe. I faced ogling, eve-teasing [public sexual harassment] and inappropriate touching on buses while I was a college student. Even in upscale areas, I was chased by drunk men. You are always on high alert, especially after 8:30 at night,” said Bollywood costume designer, Manoshi Nath.
The National Annual Report and Index on Women’s Safety (NARI) 2025 conducted by National Commission for Women surveyed 12,770 women in 31 cities across the South Asian nation.
It ranked Mumbai, Bhubaneshwar and Gangtok among the safest cities for women, while Delhi, and Jaipur were among the least safe.
About 40% of women in urban India reported feeling unsafe, while 7% said they had experienced harassment over the past year, with young women aged 18 to 24 found to be most vulnerable.
— already low during daytime — drops further at night, particularly on public transport.
Pratichi, a working professional based in Delhi, said that “the constant fear of potential violence always lingers in the mind, normalized to the point that many don’t see this as a serious issue.”
Urban safety needs social insight beyond technical fixes
Women’s safety in urban spaces is often associated with CCTV cameras or streetlights. However, sociologist Sanjay Srivastava, a professor at SOAS University of London, argues that “technical solutions alone are not sufficient.”
“True urban safety requires integrating social understanding with technical measures,” he told DW.
Srivastava pointed out that Indian urban planners often focus on “beautification” — clearing footpaths and informal markets like street vendors, which are seen as “messy.”
However, these spaces are crucial for women’s safety, he underlined, explaining the concept of “eyes on the streets.” It refers to how the presence of residents and shopkeepers naturally deters crime, creating safer, more vibrant public spaces through informal surveillance.
The sociologist also highlights the lack of public spaces where women can socialize or take part in leisure activities. “Places like paan shops tend to be male dominated, offering little comfort for women,” he noted, adding cities will remain unsafe and unwelcoming for women if there are no inclusive public spaces designed for them.
Patriarchal norms shape women’s safety in India
Social researcher Manjima Bhattacharya believes women’s safety is shaped by complex social, cultural, economic and familial factors, with societal norms playing a major role.
She highlights how public spaces in India remain highly gendered, citing Shilpa Phadke’s book “Why Loiter?” to illustrate that women are expected to go out only for a purpose such as going to school or running errands, while men can loiter freely.
Srivastava also underscored that in India, a sharp distinction persists between public and private spaces — reflecting the deep-rooted patriarchy.
Historically, public spaces have been dominated by men, while women were largely confined to the private sphere. This divide has resulted in unequal access to opportunities, in urban life.
The SOAS professor pointed to Indian authorities often echoing archaic thinking, such as questioning why a woman is out late or alone, which reflects deeply ingrained victim-blaming mindsets that undermine women’s right to access public spaces.
Designing safer cities
Sushmito Kamal Mukherjee, an urban planner, says addressing women’s safety requires coordinated planning, governance, policing and funding.
Using past survey data to map high-risk areas allows targeted solutions, he noted. “Well-lit streets and open spaces with clear visibility prevent unnoticed mischief.”
Mukherjee underlined that urban planning is dominated by architects who focus mainly on design, overlooking social and economic factors. “Effective urban planning needs an inter-disciplinary approach that integrates diverse areas of expertise,” he told DW.
Social researcher Bhattacharya believes a participatory approach is crucial.
“Since the mid-2000s, women’s rights groups in India have conducted safety audits — a powerful method where communities assess safety perceptions and experiences in public spaces,” she said.
Beyond cameras and cops
But Srivastava said participatory urban planning often includes mainly well-off women, excluding poor people from the informal sector like domestic workers or street vendors who have different safety concerns.
True inclusivity requires involving grassroots NGOs and social researchers who understand these dynamics, ensuring diverse female voices shape planning and policymaking.
Experts also stressed that public behavior reflects values learned at home, underscoring the close link between public and private life.
“Addressing women’s safety requires tackling both public and private spheres as one. Teaching safety and respect at school is essential [to achieve a] lasting impact,” Srivastava stated.
Bhattacharya said true safety goes beyond cameras and police. “It’s a continuous effort of creating cities where women feel not just safe but free.”
Edited by: Srinivas Mazumdaru
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