92 % Women Insecure

92 % working women feel insecure in India  

 At least 92 percent of working women feel insecure, especially during night, in Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR), industry panel Assocham said on Tuesday. The assessment based on feedback received from women says that 92 percent females working with medium and small scale firms are extremely worried and concerned as regards to their outside moments.

According to the survey by Assocham Social Development Foundation, 56 percent of such workforce in the medium sector is quite apprehensive about their safety and security, particularly after sunset.

The same fear of security lapses is felt by about 36 percent working women engaged in large scale establishments.

Assocham has conducted a random survey of women in Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune and Dehradun, among others.

All women respondents very strongly felt that the problem of insecurity faced by women is bigger than any other problem or challenge faced by India.

Releasing the assessment, Assocham secretary general DS Rawat said that in sector — specific cases — BPOs, travel and tourism, and nursing homes — women employees are the most vulnerable and prone to both physical and non-physical attacks, especially after their duty hours are over.

In nursing homes including hospitals, 83 percent women continue to suffer from insecurity.

Delhi topped the list with 92 percent of women respondents complaining that they feel unsafe.

Eighty-five percent of women in Bangalore, 82 percent in Kolkata, and 18 percent in Hyderabad have reported feeling unsafe while working in day and night shifts.

Airlines, hotels and service industries have large contingents of female workers. The media also have late night shifts, said Rawat.

The survey further highlights that two in every three women in the national capital have faced some form of sexual harassment in the last year two years.

Delhi women face continuous and different forms of sexual harassment in crowded and secluded places, says Rawat.

Majority of women who were surveyed said buses were the most unsafe form of transport. Many said the Metro system, which used to be safer earlier, is now equally crowded and unsafe.

The survey reveals the most common forms of harassment are "verbal (passing lewd comments), visual (staring and leering) and physical (touching or groping or leaning over)", adds the survey.

Around 92 percent of women respondents very strongly feel that any crime against women should be a non-bailable offence with severe punishment in fast-track courts.