Since childhood, I’ve been drawn to exploration—not just of places, but of the stories and cultures within them. Inspired by Satyajit Ray’s Tarinicharan Banerjee, who chased meaning across 60 cities and 38 jobs, I’ve embraced curiosity as my compass.
As I travelled across India, a troubling pattern emerged: women everywhere lived with a quiet, constant sense of insecurity. This reality became stark in Gurgaon—a city emblematic of India’s economic rise, yet shadowed by a widening gender safety gap. In 2024, 1,727 crimes against women were reported here, up from just 86 in 2016.
As a U-CAN Fellow with Safetipin, I gained insight into Gurgaon’s stark contradictions. Safetipin supports the city police in making the city safer for women, grounded in the belief that safety goes beyond infrastructure—it requires challenging deep-rooted patriarchal norms. While increased patrolling helps, lasting change depends on shifting societal attitudes toward gender equality.
These attitudes vary across regions, yet lead to similar outcomes. Take Bengal, my home state, where female literacy (77%) and sex ratios (951 women per 1,000 men) surpass Haryana’s (69% and 893, respectively). Yet in 2022, Bengal recorded over 33,000 crimes against women—proof that safety isn’t a regional problem, but a national failing.
The root of the problem lies in outdated gender roles that persist in much of India. Women are often confined to traditional duties, while men are expected to be the sole providers. But true equality is about offering choice—the freedom for everyone, regardless of gender, to define their roles without societal pressure.
In this context, social media has emerged as a powerful tool for women to voice their concerns and demand accountability. As of 2024, India has 1.4 billion mobile phone connections, with 806 million internet users, 34% of whom are women. These women are increasingly turning to social media for self-expression, activism, and access to information. In Gurgaon and across India, women are challenging norms, sharing experiences, and advocating for their rights. While this digital empowerment is a crucial step forward, shifting entrenched perceptions will take time. True equality means not just protection but respect for women in all roles—from CEOs to rickshaw drivers.
The path forward requires a collective effort. Men, too, must be liberated from the pressure of traditional expectations. In India, 58% of men still believe that men should be the primary breadwinners, reflecting the heavy societal burden they carry. At the same time, women continue to be confined to restrictive roles, with only 27% of women in urban areas participating in the labour force, compared to 80% in rural areas. True equality lies in offering choice, whether it’s for men to express vulnerability or for women to step into leadership roles. Choice must be available to all, free from societal judgment, allowing individuals to define their roles based on personal aspirations rather than outdated norms, bringing us closer to genuine equality.
Gurgaon, with its towering skyline and persistent reports of harassment, reflects India’s paradox—rapid growth amid deep-rooted gender inequality. Its future must be shaped not just by development, but by compassion, awareness, and systemic reform, enabling women to truly thrive. Achieving this demands cultural shifts and a collective commitment to empower all, regardless of gender.
In my next article, I’ll explore the underlying patterns behind rising crimes against women—examining the socio-cultural, economic, and psychological factors that fuel harassment and violence—to better understand and address the root causes of gender-based injustice.
