Perceived Safety of Women in Public Spaces: Analyzing Challenges and Policy Interventions in the NCT of Delhi

Abstract

Perceived safety of women in public spaces is an important concern that affects their mobility, social participation, and economic opportunities in a significant way. The present study explored the predictors of women’s perceived safety in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, which is often reported as unsafe for women as the country is characterized by gender-based violence, harassment, and urban insecurity. Using a mixed methodology, the study incorporates primary survey and interview data with secondary crime reports, spatial mapping, and urban safety audit data to identify determinants of women’s insecurity. The results also show that bad street lighting, absence of police patrolling, unsafe public transport, and poor last-mile connectivity contribute to women's fear of crime. More problematic social and cultural factors—including low participation on the community level, gender circles, and the lack of women-friendly urban design—have contributed to safety concerns. These comparative examples drawn from international case studies, in cities such as Bogotá, Mexico City, and London, show that integrated urban safety strategies—combining uplifted infrastructure, pre-emptive law enforcement, and community-led safety initiatives—can dramatically improve women’s safety. The findings lead the study to suggest policy points such as gender-sensitive urban planning, increased law enforcement, better public transport infrastructure, and technological safety interventions. In conclusion, public space safety for women is a crucial component in making Delhi a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable urban ecosystem. This shows that for a safer and accessible Delhi, we need to have multi-sectoral strategies, and the efforts need to be holistic and integrated.