Delhi to Srinagar: When modern cities fail their women

THE NARI 2025 report by the National Commission for Women (NCW) lays bare a grim reality: cities that project themselves as modern and progressive are failing women on the most basic parameter — safety. Delhi, Faridabad, Srinagar, Ranchi, Jaipur and Kolkata figure among the least safe, while Mumbai and several northeastern capitals like Kohima and Aizawl emerge at the top.

The numbers are telling. Four in 10 women surveyed across 31 cities described their city as “unsafe” or “not so safe.” Nearly 7 per cent reported harassment in 2024, compared with the NCRB’s 0.07 per cent — exposing how crime data grossly underrepresents lived realities. Trust in institutions is collapsing: only one in four women believed authorities would take action if they reported an incident, and of the cases reported, action was taken in barely 16 per cent. Workplaces fare no better. Over half the women were unsure whether their organisations had sexual harassment prevention policies, suggesting compliance with laws remains cosmetic. This highlights a disturbing gap between policy frameworks and awareness on the ground.

The findings carry a stark message. Safety cannot be measured merely by CCTV, “pink” transport or token schemes. It requires accountability: transparent policing, responsive helplines, credible investigations and gender-sensitive urban design. Societal attitudes too must shift — safety cannot mean segregation. Women do not want “safe zones”; they want freedom to claim public spaces as equals. Civil society initiatives can complement state action, but the responsibility lies with governments to build trust through swift, visible justice. The Himalayas of paperwork — guidelines, Acts, policies — mean little if women continue to feel unsafe in daily life. A society that cannot guarantee women’s security forfeits its claim to progress. NARI 2025 is a mirror. The question is whether we dare to look into it honestly.