Is Free Public Transport Equivalent To Women Safety?

Women Safety which is a basic need of the society has off late become an issue and that too of extreme high concern! Reason? Rapes, molestation, acid attacks etc which happen all around us and on a daily basis. The newspaper and TV report only a few major ones; however we all know that a lot of them go unreported.

Delhi, the capital of India is also called the Rape Capital of The Country. Women Safety is such a big issue here that people especially women live in constant fear and stepping out of homes late at night or early in the morning is highly avoided. To bring the situation under control Delhi Chief Minister has proposed free travel for women in public transport in Delhi. The move is in planning phase and will take around three months for implementation. It will also cost about Rs.700 crores this year to the State Government. While some people have called it a political move; some have appreciated it for the intent it backs. As per the AAP Chief , the proposed plan is to encourage women take metros rather than private buses, autos etc which are unsafe.

However, this makes me think twice, thrice and even more! Really, do we need this? Is this really an effective solution?

Metros take us between specified stations and not all of us are privileged to live close to them. We do take bus, autos or walk to our destination. Also with changing times and society, women have become independent! (majority of them can conveniently pay for their tickets and would not risk safety for this small an amount.) Also what about the molestation and teasing that takes place in these metros or buses?Hence ,what women need is not free transport for safety but maybe some bigger actions. Say, steps like deployment of police personnels at maximum possible places so that it is not that easy to commit crime against women. [Offcourse the change in mindset is the basic thing but we all know that it is a slow process and will take time].

All I feel as a woman and resident of the country is that we need progressive steps where at any stage women don’t tend to become a liability. It has taken us years to be considered as equal and such steps are not suggestive of equality. Steps which not only ensure women safety but also contribute in say employment or in bringing down some other forms of crime/social issue should be put to action.