BENGALURU: According to a recent poll conducted by Thomson Reuters Foundation, India has been adjudged the most dangerous country for women.
While the National Commission for Women has rejected the report citing the microscopic sample size cannot represent the whole country, women in Namma Bengaluru do not feel the same. Based on their experiences, they feel the city is becoming increasingly unsafe with each passing day.
Donna Fernandes from Bengaluru-based women’s group Vimochana says, “Every day I get at least one case of domestic violence. So many cases in the Victoria hospital burns ward are of domestic violence. The police here are not women-friendly at all. They even refuse to lodge FIRs in cases of domestic violence, calling it personal matters.” “It is crucial that both the judiciary and police become friendly to women. The change has to come from all levels.”
Professor Ismath Afshan, former director, Centre for Women’s Studies, Bangalore University, says, “The city is not at all safe. Even I think twice while stepping out at night. The root cause of this problem is the mindset of men. Women face harassment at public places, on roads, and even in restaurants. Police need to step up security.”
Bhaskar D, CEO, Vidyaranya, an NGO for women and underprivileged children, says, “Bengaluru is a prominent place for women and child trafficking. It is a transit zone and well-connected. So trafficking
is rampant here.”Shanti C, Ashraya Women’s Centre, Indiranagar, says, “Unless there are a speedy trial and some harsh punishment, there’s never going to be a solution.”