Open Access Research Article
WOMEN’S SAFETY IN PUBLIC SPACES IN INDIA: A SOCIO-LEGAL ANALYSIS OF LAW, ENFORCEMENT AND SOCIAL REALITY
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Women’s safety in public spaces
remains an important socio-legal concern in India. Public spaces such as roads,
markets, public transport, railway stations, parks, shopping areas and
educational institutions are necessary for everyday life, but women may
experience harassment, stalking, unwanted sexual conduct, assault and fear in
these spaces. Such experiences can affect women’s freedom of movement,
education, employment, social participation and overall sense of dignity.
The Indian legal framework provides
constitutional and statutory protection through Articles 14, 15, 19 and 21 of
the Constitution and criminal law provisions dealing with offences against
women. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS) contains provisions dealing with
assault or criminal force against women, sexual harassment, voyeurism, stalking
and acts intended to insult the modesty of a woman.¹ The Bharatiya Nagarik
Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) also provides procedural safeguards for reporting
certain offences against women.² Judicial decisions such as Vishaka v. State
of Rajasthan, Rupan Deol Bajaj v. K.P.S. Gill and Medha Kotwal
Lele v. Union of India have contributed to the development of principles
relating to dignity, equality, sexual harassment and institutional
responsibility.
However, the existence of legal
provisions does not automatically ensure safety in practice. Reporting
difficulties, fear of social stigma, victim blaming, lack of awareness, police
response, inadequate infrastructure, transport-related risks and weak institutional
coordination can affect the practical enjoyment of legal rights. Government
initiatives such as Safe City Projects, Women Help Desks, Emergency Response
Support System (112), Women Helpline and One Stop Centres seek to strengthen
the institutional response.³
This paper adopts a socio-legal
approach to examine the relationship between law and the everyday experiences
of women in public spaces. It argues that women’s safety requires not only
effective laws and punishment but also accessible reporting mechanisms,
responsive policing, safer infrastructure, institutional coordination and
changes in social attitudes. The paper therefore examines the gap between
formal legal protection and practical safety and suggests measures for making
public spaces more accessible and secure for women.
Published Paper
Author Details
Authors: SHIVANI BRIJWASI
Registration ID: 1013199 | Published Paper ID: IJLRA13199
Year: Sep-2026 | Volume: 3 | Issue: 6
Approved ISSN: 2582-6433 | Country: Delhi, India
Page No.: 1258-1278
Article Information
WOMEN’S SAFETY IN PUBLIC SPACES IN INDIA: A SOCIO-LEGAL ANALYSIS OF LAW, ENFORCEMENT AND SOCIAL REALITY
Authors: SHIVANI BRIJWASI
- Journal IJLRA
- ISSN 2582-6433
- Volume 3
- Issue 6
About Journal
International Journal for Legal Research and Analysis
- AbbreviationIJLRA
- ISSN2582-6433
- AccessOpen Access
- LicenseCC 4.0
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