LET HER TRAVEL SAFELY 24 X 7

If India is to attain real gender equality, then we must ensure that Indian women and girls are able to travel safely and easily 24X7 to the destination of their choice, at par with Indian males. Thus, ensuring safe public transportation is a step towards gender equality, enhancing their ability to participate in educational, professional, and social activities and overall improved participation of women and girls in public life.

After the Nirbhaya Rape case in 2012, the subject of women's safety especially in public transport came in the forefront. Justice Verma Committee was constituted to investigate the women's safety issues. The Committee was assisted by a team of young lawyers, law students and academics. The Committee has submitted its report in 2013 itself, but unfortunately many recommendations of the Committee have not been implemented even till date.

AFTERMATH OF RECENT RAPE INCIDENTS IN PUNE & SUGGESTIONS:

Proactive approach can play a huge difference in reducing social and heinous crimes like rape and sexual harassment of women and girls. Checking of documents, imposing fines on Autorickshaw drivers form part of the 'reactive approach', are important, have disciplinary impact which unfortunately fades away over a period if not implemented continuously. A multi-disciplinary approach must be implemented. Social and reformative actions to deal with the core of social norms and values of the people engaged in plying Auto Rickshaws and similar public transport modes is the need of the hour. Providing safe transport environment to women is directly linked with attaining gender equality guaranteed in the Constitution of India. Every Autorickshaw driver and staff employed in public transport system must mandatorily be required to undergo a one full day workshop on gender sensitization and related subjects every year, wherein character checks become an integral part. Education on women related laws and punishments for violations must become part of such workshops. Such workshops can also help in developing common database of Autorickshaw drivers and other public transport operators. Such workshops must be held round the year at all districts across India. A 'Women Transport Commission' must be constituted, and such workshops and the system can be implemented through such a commission, which may work under the Ministry of Women and child development. Police system alone cannot deal with the subject. The Police mechanism can on the other side work on the disciplinary and punitive approach.

Government must significantly invest in public transport which leads to offering safe and convenient transport system for women, thereby reducing their dependence on private modes and auto rickshaws. Today women are forced to travel by overcrowded buses which is very unpleasant for them. Police patrolling and vigilance through CCTV should be increased at isolated spots. Sexual harassment mostly happens at crowed places or isolated spots.

Satya Muley
Advocate - Bombay High Court.

Satya Muley

Satya is a leading Civil & Criminal Law lawyer from Western India.
He practices at Bombay High Court, the Supreme Court and Courts in Pune/Maharashtra & New Delhi.
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