Nirbhaya and now

It’s been almost six months since that terrible night when a young girl was brutally gangraped in a moving bus in the heart of the national capital. Nirbhaya died, leaving a city shamed and a country outraged. But despite the prolonged protests, where angry citizens took to the streets crying for action, are girls in Delhi any safer now than on that cold December night?
Everyone from the PM to the police commissioner promised reforms .With changes in police functioning , approaching a cop has apparently become easier for a woman in distress . Yet, something as commonplace as walking down a street after dusk is still scary for the Delhi woman — whether she’s 16 or 60. Public transport and lastmile connectivity — autorickshaws, rickshaws, feeder buses — remain a problem area. For a woman commuter, the walk home and the wait on a pavement are as much part of the harrowing journey as the ride in the bus or auto.
The male gaze follows her everywhere . When TOI spoke to Delhi’s women across age groups, they echoed concerns worryingly similar to those in the pre-December 2012 days. “I don’t feel safe at night so don’t travel on my own. Even though the Metro itself may be fine , the station and (area) outside the complex is deserted and not lighted properly,” said Shefali Majumdar, a young working woman.
While ‘big reform’ — such as GPS in autos — is stuck in technical issues, verification of public transport drivers is not stringent enough. “Who do you trust? The government is supposed to ensure that these drivers are verified , but it’s not happening . We’re constantly aware we’re taking a risk,” said Abha Matthews, who regularly uses public transport.
Even taking an evening stroll in the neighbourhood is fraught with danger, say many. “I can’t go out wearing shorts unless I’m accompanied by others who’ll be able to protect me,” said Ankita Darshan, who lives in a posh south Delhi locality.
Badly constructed footpaths, dark subways and deserted public spaces are other areas of worry. After the Nirbhaya tragedy, the lieutenant governor had directed civic agencies to put into practice “women’s safety guidelines” for public areas, but implementation is tardy.
Meanwhile, the Justice J S Verma committee showed the way forward by taking just 29 days to frame its report on reforms to curb sexual offences. Politicians, though, have not shown similar urgency in implementing those suggestions.
For half of Delhi — its women — nothing could be more urgent than their safety and security. Now’s the time to act.
The Nirbhaya effect
Police say patrolling increased, especially around girls’ schools and colleges
Thana jurisdiction no longer an issue for registering case on a woman’s complaint
24-hour help desks for women at all police stations with exclusive phone lines
Complaints of sexual harassment now recorded verbatim
Lines increased for distress number ‘100’, women and child helplines increased from four to 10
Home guards deployed in night special buses. More women’s special buses introduced
Six fast-track courts set up