Women should not have to avoid certain public spaces

Representational images. Pic/iStock

A 23-year-old woman doctor was molested in the subway of Vashi railway station in Navi Mumbai recently. She was on her way to board a suburban train to Kharghar.

A police official cited that a man touched her inappropriately and fled from the spot.

This incident happened in the daytime. It is vital we do not dismiss this as trivial. Inappropriate touching is molestation and can leave scars on victims. It can also push them into a corner and make them fearful. It is apt that the police are on the tail of the accused. Such incidents were earlier simply brushed away. Today, women are realising they can complain and action will be taken against the offenders.

It also highlights the importance of high-quality surveillance, especially in public places that may be less frequented at certain times during the day. Though this incident took place during the day, there are stretches throughout, off-peak hours where we do see subways that have thinner crowds or hardly any people at all.

Subways and skywalks are particularly dangerous during evening and night hours.

There has to be good lighting across the city as soon as natural light starts to fade.

Having done all that, we must understand that public spaces must be safe for all. Women are as entitled to use these spaces without fear, as well as men, as they are taxpayers and stakeholders in the city too.

They cannot and should not have to avoid spaces such as lanes, alleys and subways at certain times because it is unsafe for them. This would mean cutting off a slice of the city for women. Working actively towards safety with equality and good surveillance, lighting, accessible cops are all part of the package.