Post Dec 16, Women Still Feel Unsafe On Delhi Roads

New Delhi: Nothing much has changed post the Dec 16 gang-rape - catcalls, lewd comments at bus stops, pawing in crowded places and sexual harassment continues in the city, most women in the national capital feel.

IANS spoke to many women on how safe they feel in the city, which earned the unflattering sobriquet of "rape capital" after the brutal gang-rape of a young woman who later died of her injuries.

Despite the police saying they have tightened security in the city, many women feel it is futile to be dependent on anyone, including the police, for their security and they have to be careful and take their own measures to feel safe in the city.

"Post the Dec 16 gang rape, there has been so many rape incidents which keep re-instilling the fear in the minds of women who travel during late evenings," said Rishita Singh, a media professional. Rishita, who works till late, says she has now become more suspicious of every man she comes across on the streets.

"They (men) are so fearless about staring at a woman's bust. Even when you escape being raped, how does one escape this harassment, and where" asked an angry Rishita.

Many women complained about being harassed at bus stops, inside buses and traveling alone especially during the night becomes a nightmare.

"I travel by bus and after 7.30 p.m. I rethink the decision to travel by bus or not. I do not see any measures (for women's safety) on the ground … I feel men have got more license to eve-tease you," said Swechha Chettri, a software professional, who commutes by bus to her Noida office from South Delhi.

Errant auto-rickshaw drivers are another issue that most women complain about when it comes to safety.