New Delhi: “Every night when I leave the office at midnight, my mother calls to check if I’ve reached home safely,” shares Juhi, a young professional in a bustling Indian city. Her story echoes the fears of countless parents whose daughters step out for work or study, a concern underscored by the alarming findings of the National Annual Report and Index on Women’s Safety (NARI) 2025.
Released on Thursday, the report reveals that 40% of women in India’s urban areas feel “not so safe” or “unsafe” in their cities, painting a stark picture of the challenges women face in public spaces.
Based on the voices of 12,770 women across 31 cities, the NARI 2025 report, launched by National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Vijaya Kishore Rahatkar, exposes deep-rooted issues — from inadequate infrastructure to societal attitudes —that fuel women’s fears. With safety concerns spiking after dark and only 22% of harassment victims reporting incidents, the report calls for urgent action to create safer, more inclusive cities.
A Nation’s Safety Divide
The report ranks cities by safety, revealing stark contrasts. Kohima leads as India’s safest city for women, with over 80% of women feeling secure, followed by Vishakhapatnam, Bhubaneswar, Aizawl, Gangtok, Itanagar, and Mumbai, where nearly 70% report feeling safe. These cities benefit from stronger gender equity, visible policing, and women-friendly infrastructure, such as better-lit streets and reliable public transport.
In contrast, Ranchi, Srinagar, Kolkata, Delhi, Faridabad, Patna, and Jaipur rank among the least safe, with Delhi and Faridabad seeing 42% of women feeling unsafe, and Ranchi topping the list at 44%. Poor lighting, inefficient public transport, and weak institutional responses exacerbate fears, particularly at night. Public spaces like buses, metros, and markets often become hotspots for harassment, with women facing staring, catcalling, lewd comments, and unwanted physical contact.
The Unreported Crisis
The NARI 2025 report highlights a chilling gap between official crime statistics and lived realities. While the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reported just 0.07% of crimes against women in 2022, the survey found that 7% of women experienced harassment in 2024, with young women aged 18-24 at the highest risk. This discrepancy stems from underreporting, as two-thirds of victims stay silent, fearing further harassment or social stigma. Only 22% report incidents to authorities, and action is taken in just 16% of cases.
Societal attitudes often worsen the problem, with victims frequently blamed for their clothing or being out late. “If a girl wears short clothes or steps out at night, she’s blamed for inviting trouble,” the report notes, highlighting how such mindsets deter women from seeking justice and force many to alter their lives — some even quitting jobs or dropping out of school.
Workplace Safety Gaps
Workplaces, while safer than public spaces (91% of women feel secure), have their own challenges. Shockingly, 53% of women are unaware if their workplace has a Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) policy, mandated by law since the 2013 Vishakha Guidelines. This lack of awareness leaves many unable to address harassment, perpetuating a cycle of silence driven by shame or fear.
A Call For Change
Launched by NCW Chairperson Vijaya Kishore Rahatkar, the NARI 2025 report, powered by Pvalue Analytics and published by the Group of Intellectuals and Academicians (GIA), aims to bridge the gap between statistics and reality. “This report is a step towards understanding women’s safety concerns,” Rahatkar said at the launch. “Our priority is to ensure every woman feels safe at home, work, public spaces, and online. These findings will guide policymakers and institutions to create safer environments.”
Prahallad Rout, MD of Pvalue Analytics, added, “NARI 2025 reflects the daily experiences of over 12,700 women across 31 cities. We hope it will steer governments, corporates, and communities towards improving safety, aligning with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.”
The report’s data-driven framework offers a benchmark for progress, urging stakeholders to address poor infrastructure, enhance nighttime security, and challenge victim-blaming attitudes. For parents like Juhi’s mother, who stay awake worrying, and for women navigating fear in their daily lives, NARI 2025 is a clarion call for a safer, more equitable India.