The Government Promises Safety, But Are Indian Women Really Protected?

 

 

 https://www.trybe.in/

 

Every morning, millions of Indian women step out of their homes. Some go to work, others to college, many to schools. As they leave, their mothers whisper a silent prayer. Their fathers check the time, hoping they'll return before dark. Their brothers text them every hour, asking, "Reached safely?"

This is the reality of being a woman in India today.

Despite tall government promises, despite new laws being made every year, despite special women safety schemes worth thousands of crores—our mothers, sisters, and daughters still don't feel safe. And the numbers prove they're right to feel afraid.

The Numbers Don't Lie—And They're Terrifying.

Let me share some facts that will shake you to your core.

In 2022 alone, over 4,45,256 cases of crimes against women were registered in India. Think about that number for a moment. That's more than four lakh women who suffered some form of violence or harassment. That's not just a statistic—that's someone's daughter, someone's mother, someone's friend.

But here's what makes it even more heartbreaking: this number has increased by over 30% since 2014. The crime rate per lakh women has jumped from 56.3 to 66.4. So while we're talking about progress and women empowerment, the reality is that crimes against women are actually going up, not down.

Now, you might think, "Maybe more women are just reporting crimes now?" That's partly true. But even if we look at specific, serious crimes, the picture remains dark. From 2017 to 2022, approximately 7,000 women died every year due to dowry-related violence. That's nearly 20 women dying every single day because of dowry. In 2025. In modern India.

And if you thought the workplace would be safer, think again. Cases of workplace sexual harassment against women increased from 402 in 2018 to 422 in 2022, despite having a special law—the POSH Act—specifically designed to protect women at work.

How Safe Do Women Actually Feel?

Recently, a major survey was conducted. The National Annual Report and Index on Women's Safety 2025 (NARI Index) surveyed 12,770 women across 31 Indian cities and gave India an overall safety score of just 65%.

Sixty-five percent. That means even in our best assessment, one out of every three women doesn't feel safe in this country.

The reality on the streets is even grimmer. In 2024, 7% of women reported at least one incident of harassment in public spaces. For women under 24 years old, this number jumps to 14%. Young girls, students, first-time job seekers—they face double the harassment.

What kind of harassment are we talking about? Verbal harassment was the most common, accounting for 58% of cases. Catcalling, passing comments, inappropriate remarks—these aren't just "boys being boys." This is harassment. This creates fear. This makes women think twice before stepping out.

Where Does India Stand in the World?

You've probably heard politicians talk about how India is becoming a superpower, how we're growing economically, how we're advancing technologically. But where do we stand when it comes to protecting half of our population?

India ranks 128th out of 177 countries in the 'Women, Peace and Security Index 2023'. Let that sink in. Out of 177 countries, we're at number 128. That's not even in the top half. Countries we consider "less developed" than us are doing better at keeping their women safe.

This ranking measures women's inclusion, justice, and security. And we're failing on all three fronts.

The Most Dangerous Places for Indian Women.

If you're thinking, "Maybe it's just certain areas that are unsafe," you'd be partially right. But the truth is more complicated.

Delhi, our national capital, has the highest cognizable crime rate against women at 160.4 per 100,000 persons. The place where our Parliament sits, where laws are made, where the government functions—that's the least safe place for women in the entire country.

But it's not just Delhi. The problems exist everywhere, from big metros to small towns. The difference is only in degree, not in kind.

The Cruel Irony: Home is Where the Heart Breaks.

Here's something that will shock you: the most dangerous place for an Indian woman isn't a dark street or a lonely bus stop. It's often her own home.

The dominant categories of crimes against women include 'Cruelty by Husband or His Relatives,' 'Kidnapping & Abduction of Women,' and 'Assault on Women with Intent to Outrage Her Modesty'.

Notice the first category? Cruelty by husband or his relatives. The person she married, the family she became part of—these are the people hurting her the most. As of December 2024, 17% of all complaints to the National Commission for Women were related to dowry harassment, with 292 reported dowry deaths.

A woman leaves her parents' home dreaming of a new life. But for too many, that dream turns into a nightmare of daily torture, harassment, and sometimes, death.

So What is the Government Actually Doing?

Now, before anyone accuses me of being unfair, let me talk about what the government claims to be doing.

In 2018, a special Women Safety Division was created in the Ministry of Home Affairs. Its job? To enhance measures for women's safety and create a sense of security through better justice delivery.

Money is being spent too. In 2024-25, Rs 5,846.08 crore was utilized, which is nearly 76% of the total allocation for women's safety. That's a lot of money. It's going toward projects like One Stop Centres, Emergency Response Support System (112), and Women Helpline (181).

These are good initiatives. On paper, they look impressive. There are helplines, emergency response systems, fast-track courts for cases against women, and support centers.

But here's the question nobody wants to ask: If we're spending thousands of crores, if we have all these systems in place, if we have laws protecting women—then why are crimes against women still increasing?

The Gap Between Promise and Reality.

The answer lies in understanding the difference between announcing a scheme and actually implementing it effectively.

Yes, there's a women's helpline. But how many women in rural areas even know about it? And if they do know, do they have the phone access, the privacy, or the courage to make that call?

Yes, there are One Stop Centres. But are there enough? Are they functioning properly? Can a woman from a village easily reach one?

Yes, there are fast-track courts. But cases still take years. Evidence gets destroyed. Witnesses turn hostile. The accused walk free. The victim gets blamed.

This is the harsh reality that statistics don't capture.

Why Women Don't Report Crimes.

Here's another uncomfortable truth: the numbers we're seeing? They're probably just the tip of the iceberg.

Most crimes against women go unreported. Why? Let me count the ways:

Shame and Stigma: In our society, a woman who's been assaulted is often treated as if she's done something wrong. She's asked what she was wearing, why she was out late, why she was alone. The victim becomes the accused.

Fear of Not Being Believed: When a woman reports harassment or assault, she's often not taken seriously. "Are you sure?" "Maybe you misunderstood." "Why would anyone do that to you?" These are questions real women face when they try to report crimes.

Family Pressure: Many families discourage women from reporting crimes because they fear social disgrace. "What will people say?" becomes more important than justice.

Long, Traumatic Legal Process: Even if a woman gathers the courage to file a complaint, the legal journey is exhausting. She has to recount her trauma multiple times, face aggressive questioning, and wait years for justice.

Economic Dependence: When the abuser is a husband or family member who provides financial support, many women feel trapped. They endure abuse because they don't see a way out.

So when we see that 4.45 lakh women reported crimes in 2022, remember: the actual number of women who faced violence is probably much, much higher.

The Changing Face of Danger.

The world is changing, and so are the ways women are being targeted.

Online harassment and cyberbullying have become new battlegrounds. A woman shares her photo on social media, and within minutes, she might receive obscene comments, threats, or have her images misused.

Dating apps have created new dangers. Women meet men they connected with online, only to face harassment, assault, or worse.

Workplace harassment has become more sophisticated. It's not always obvious. It's in the inappropriate jokes, the uncomfortable stares, the "casual" touching, the late-night work calls, the promotions that depend on "adjusting."

Our laws and safety measures are still catching up to these new realities.

What About the "Good" States?

You might be wondering—are there any places in India where women are relatively safer?

Nagaland has the lowest incidence of crime against women based on reported cases. Some northeastern states generally show lower crime rates. But we need to be careful about interpreting this. Lower reported crimes don't always mean women are actually safer—it might mean fewer crimes are being reported.

Kerala, Goa, and some southern states often rank better in terms of women's safety. But even in these states, women face significant challenges. The problems are universal, even if the intensity varies.

The Real Questions We Should Be Asking.

Instead of just looking at what the government is doing, we need to ask better questions:

Why is prevention not working? We keep focusing on what happens after a crime occurs—police response, courts, support systems. But why aren't we stopping crimes from happening in the first place?

Why hasn't education changed mentalities? We're more educated than ever before, yet attitudes toward women haven't changed proportionally. Why?

Why are convictions so low? Having laws means nothing if criminals don't fear punishment. What good is a fast-track court if the conviction rate is abysmal?

Why is society still blaming victims? Until we stop asking women what they were wearing and start asking men why they attacked, nothing will truly change.

Stories That Statistics Can't Tell.

Behind every number is a real person with a real story.

There's the college girl who takes three different buses to reach home because she can't afford a cab, and each journey is filled with anxiety.

There's the working woman who dresses in baggy clothes, not because she wants to, but because she's tired of the stares and comments.

There's the married woman who endures daily taunts and occasional beatings because she "only" gave birth to daughters.

There's the elderly woman who faces property disputes and is thrown out of her home by her own children.

There's the young professional who quit her dream job because her boss made her uncomfortable, and HR didn't take her seriously.

These are not hypothetical scenarios. These are real women. They might be your neighbor, your colleague, your friend, your family member.

What Needs to Change?—Really Change.

Creating true safety for women requires much more than government schemes and police stations. It requires a complete shift in how we think and act.

Education from Childhood: Boys need to be taught to respect women from the very beginning. It's not enough to tell girls to be careful—we need to teach boys not to harm.

Swift Justice: Crime against women must be met with quick, certain punishment. When criminals know they'll get away with it, they're emboldened.

Economic Independence: Women need financial independence so they're not forced to stay in abusive situations.

Social Support: We need to stop treating victims like they're at fault. We need to create a society where women feel safe to speak up.

Better Implementation: All the schemes and helplines are useless if they don't work properly. We need accountability.

Men as Allies: Change can't happen if it's only women fighting for women's safety. Men need to be part of the solution.

Hope in the Darkness.

Despite everything, there are reasons for hope.

More women are speaking up than ever before. Movements like #MeToo showed that women are no longer willing to suffer in silence.

There are NGOs, activists, and lawyers who are fighting tirelessly for women's rights and safety.

Some states are experimenting with innovative solutions—better street lighting, women-only transport, community policing, and self-defense training programs.

Technology is being used to create safety apps, emergency alert systems, and tracking mechanisms.

Young people are more aware and more progressive in their thinking about gender equality than previous generations.

Change is happening. Just not fast enough. Not wide enough. Not deep enough.

The Question We Must Answer.

So, are Indian women really protected?

The honest answer is: Not nearly enough.

The government makes promises, allocates budgets, launches schemes, and creates systems. But on the ground, millions of women still live with fear as their constant companion.

Safety isn't just about having a police station nearby or a helpline number saved in your phone. Real safety is when a woman can walk alone at night without fear. When she can wear what she wants without being blamed for "inviting" harassment. When she can report a crime without being questioned about her character. When she can live in her own home without facing violence. When she can work without being harassed. When she can simply exist without constantly being on guard.

We're not there yet. Not even close.

The statistics are shocking, yes. But what's even more shocking is that these numbers represent millions of real women who are being failed by a system that promises to protect them.

What Can You Do?

You might feel helpless reading all this. But you're not. Every single person can make a difference.

If you're a parent: Raise your sons to respect women. Raise your daughters to be brave and speak up.

If you're a man: Call out other men when they make inappropriate jokes or comments about women. Be an ally, not a bystander.

If you're a woman facing harassment or violence: Please know it's not your fault. Reach out for help. Women Helpline: 181, Emergency: 112.

If you witness a crime: Don't just walk away. Call for help. Be a witness. Your silence enables criminals.

If you're an employer: Create truly safe workplaces. Take complaints seriously. Have proper mechanisms in place.

As citizens: Demand accountability from your government. Vote for leaders who prioritize women's safety. Support organizations working for women's rights.

Change happens when enough people refuse to accept the status quo. When enough people say, "This is not okay."

A Final Thought.

India has always called women "devi"—goddesses. We worship goddesses during festivals. We touch our mother's feet for blessings. We call our nation "Bharat Mata"—Mother India.

But if we truly respected women the way we claim to, would our daughters be afraid to step out after dark? Would our wives accept abuse as their fate? Would our sisters face harassment as just a part of daily life?

The government's promises ring hollow when the lived reality of Indian women tells a very different story. Safety shouldn't be a luxury or a privilege. It should be a basic right.

The question isn't just whether the government is doing enough. The question is whether each one of us is doing enough. Because until we change—our attitudes, our responses, our complicity in this system—no amount of government schemes will make Indian women truly safe.

The report is shocking. But what should shock us even more is that we've somehow normalized this level of danger for half our population.

It's time we stopped accepting this as normal. It's time for real change.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

Q1: What is the current crime rate against women in India?

According to the National Crime Records Bureau, over 4,45,256 cases of crimes against women were registered in 2022, with the crime rate standing at 66.4 per lakh women—a significant increase from previous years.

Q2: Which is the most unsafe place for women in India?

Delhi has the highest cognizable crime rate against women at 160.4 per 100,000 persons, making it the least safe state/UT in India according to official statistics.

Q3: What helpline numbers should women use in emergencies?

Women in India can call the following helplines:

• Women Helpline: 181
• Emergency Response: 112
• National Commission for Women Helpline: 7827170170

Q4: Has crime against women increased or decreased in recent years?

Unfortunately, crimes against women have increased by over 30% between 2014 and 2022, despite various government initiatives and safety measures.

Q5: What are the most common types of crimes against women in India?

The dominant categories include cruelty by husband or relatives, kidnapping and abduction, assault with intent to outrage modesty, and dowry-related harassment.

Q6: How much money does the government spend on women's safety?

In 2024-25, approximately Rs 5,846.08 crore was utilized for women's safety initiatives, which is about 76% of the total allocation.

Q7: Do most women report crimes against them?

No. Many crimes against women go unreported due to shame, stigma, fear of not being believed, family pressure, and the traumatic nature of the legal process.

Q8: Where does India rank globally in women's safety?

India ranks 128th out of 177 countries in the Women, Peace and Security Index 2023, indicating significant room for improvement.

Q9: Are workplaces safe for women in India?

Despite the POSH Act 2013, workplace sexual harassment cases have increased from 402 in 2018 to 422 in 2022, suggesting continued challenges in ensuring workplace safety.

Q10: What percentage of women feel safe in India according to recent surveys?

The NARI Index 2025 gave India an overall safety score of only 65%, meaning approximately one in three women doesn't feel safe in the country.