Reclaiming streets is not enough

• Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections of the population by the Centre and States and the Performance of these Schemes; Mechanisms, Laws, Institutions and Bodies constituted for the Protection and Betterment of these Vulnerable Sections.

Context:

• The tragic rape and murder of a resident doctor in Kolkata, one of India’s "safest" cities, serves as a stark reminder that crimes against women persist across all spheres of life—at home, at work, during commutes, and in public spaces.
• This incident, like many others before it, highlights the inadequacy of legal protections and the urgent need to rethink how our urban spaces contribute to women's safety and their right to live without fear.
• Legal Reforms and Their Limitations: In response to the 2012 Delhi gang rape, the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013, was introduced to strengthen laws against sexual crimes.
• While these reforms, including the establishment of fast-track courts and the creation of the Nirbhaya Fund, were intended to provide justice and ensure women’s safety, their impact has been limited.
• The focus on legal remedies, without addressing the broader societal and infrastructural issues, has proven insufficient in curbing violence against women.
• Urban Planning and Gender Inequality: India's cities have traditionally been designed with men in mind, often neglecting the needs of women.
• This male-centric approach is evident in the prioritization of infrastructure such as car parking over essential services like public toilets and feeding rooms for women.
• The female labor force participation rate in urban areas remains low, partly due to the lack of supportive infrastructure that facilitates women’s participation in the workforce.
• Women, particularly those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, rely heavily on public transport and walking.
• However, urban planning continues to prioritize wider roads and flyovers, which do little to improve the safety and accessibility of public spaces for women.
• The neglect of sidewalks, safe streets, and accessible public transit systems reflects a deep-seated disregard for women's needs in urban environments.
• Housing and Care Infrastructure: Access to affordable and safe housing remains a significant barrier for many women, particularly those living independently.
• The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban has had minimal impact on improving women’s access to housing, leaving many women vulnerable.
• Additionally, the lack of care infrastructure in cities forces women to shoulder the burden of childcare, elderly care, and care for the sick, further restricting their ability to fully engage in urban life.
• While the Swachh Bharat Mission has made strides in improving sanitation, much more needs to be done to alleviate the burdens on women.
• Policy Reforms for Gender-Inclusive Cities: To create cities that are safe, just, and empowering for women, a fundamental shift in urban planning and policy-making is required.
• This shift must involve a thorough review of planning laws to ensure they are inclusive and responsive to the needs of women. Ministries should broaden their policy frameworks to focus on urban inclusion, rather than limiting themselves to women’s welfare.
• Formalizing women-dominated informal work, creating livelihoods closer to home, and investing in care infrastructure are crucial steps in this direction.
• Women's participation in policy and decision-making processes is essential to ensuring that urban spaces are designed to meet their needs.
• Gender budgeting mechanisms should be strengthened and used to create women-centric cities that safeguard their rights and enable them to thrive.