The reality is that the safety of women is a major concern, especially for parents when their daughters go out, whether for work or other reasons. Recent distressing events have heightened these worries. A new report, ‘NARI 2025,’ reveals concerning data on women’s safety in India. It indicates that 40% of women in urban areas do not feel safe or feel unsafe in their cities. Concerns about safety increase after dark due to poor lighting and lack of security.
The study included the voices of 12,770 women from 31 cities across all states of the country, providing a data-driven framework to improve women’s safety. The findings indicate that Ranchi, Srinagar, Kolkata, Delhi, Faridabad, Patna, and Jaipur are among the least safe cities for women in India. Delhi and Faridabad are among the top five unsafe cities, with approximately 42% of women reporting feeling unsafe. This figure was even higher in Ranchi, where 44% of women reported feeling unsafe.
In contrast, Kohima in the east is considered the safest place for women in the country, with over 80% of women feeling safe. Other cities relatively safe for women include Visakhapatnam, Bhubaneswar, Aizawl, Gangtok, Itanagar, and Mumbai, where approximately 70% of women feel safe.
Many women in India face harassment on the streets, including staring, stalking, obscene comments, and physical contact. These experiences cause distress, and some women are forced to leave school or quit their jobs as a result. The report highlights that 7% of women reported experiencing harassment in 2024, with the risk being highest among young women aged 18-24. Public places are perceived as unsafe due to inadequate infrastructure, poor lighting, and inefficient public transport. This perception is further exacerbated by societal attitudes, which often blame victims for the harassment they experience.
The report reveals that many women do not report incidents of harassment due to fear of further harassment or social stigma. Only 22% of women report their experiences to the authorities, and action is taken in only 16% of the cases. In the workplace, incidents of sexual harassment occur, but women often hesitate to speak out due to shame or fear. The Supreme Court issued ‘Vishakha Guidelines’ in 2013 to address such incidents in the workplace, but many women remain unaware of these guidelines.
‘NARI 2025’ was launched by the Chairperson of the National Commission for Women, highlighting the importance of ensuring that every woman feels safe at home, at work, in public places, and online. The report presents the real voices of women and will help policymakers and institutions work together to create safer and more supportive spaces for women across India. The report serves as an annual benchmark to assist policymakers, governments, corporations, and civil society in working towards creating more secure and inclusive cities for women.