Fear Has a Gender and It’s Female: Why Indian Women Are Never Safe, Day or Night
Riya Kumari | Jan 06, 2025, 20:50 IST
( Image credit : Timeslife )
India loves its contradictions. We’re a country that worships goddesses but won’t let women walk a street without being treated like prey. Women are expected to embody purity, grace, and strength—just don’t expect any of that grace to extend to their safety. For Indian women, stepping outside isn’t just about getting somewhere. It’s about survival. It’s calculating every move, preparing for every possibility, and hoping, for once, the universe isn’t in the mood to teach another “lesson.”
Okay, let's take a moment. We live in a country that worships goddesses. Like, actual goddesses. Yet, somehow, Indian women are still fighting for the right to simply exist in public without being touched, ogled, or harassed. Why Does This Keep Happening? Because silence is baked into the system. Because too many people would rather look away than confront the ugly truth. Because women are told to adjust, to endure, to adapt to a world that refuses to change.
1. Public Transport: The ‘Accidental’ Groping Circus
Buses, trains, metros—these are supposed to be lifelines, especially for women who don’t have the luxury of a private car or daily cab rides. You’d think with the sheer number of people around, someone might have learned the art of personal space by now. But, no. Men (some, of course) seem to think that they’ve got a free pass to touch, push, and generally invade women’s personal spaces like it’s a game. You’re just trying to get to college or work, and boom—someone’s hand is making uninvited contact. Why didn’t she speak up? Well, how do you point to someone in a crowd of hundreds? And when you do, what happens? They’ll deny it. “Wasn’t me.” Classic. Real men, the kind that actually protect and stand up for what’s right, will step in for a girlfriend, but when a stranger’s getting groped? Silence. If you’re with a boyfriend, suddenly every man around becomes a chivalrous hero. But when a woman is violated by a stranger? Silence. A real man wouldn’t just look the other way. But when real men are nowhere to be found, you just keep your head down and try to get home without being violated again.
2. Crowded Places: Eyes Everywhere, But No One to Help
Walk into a crowded area, and suddenly it’s like you’re the center of attention—but not the good kind. Men (again, some) seem to think that personal space is an illusion, and the most comfortable spot to stand is directly behind a woman. You know it’s happening. You feel those eyes. And when you turn around? Oh, no. They act like nothing’s wrong. But heaven forbid you speak up. The second you do, it’s your character that’s questioned. “What were you wearing? Why were you there?” The guy, however, is suddenly invisible. It’s as if standing up for yourself makes you the villain, and the real villain keeps on lurking in the crowd. Every single time it happens, you feel less and less human, less and less worthy of your own space.
3. Alone: Day or Night, the Chasing Never Ends
You can be walking to your car in broad daylight or strolling down the street at night—either way, you’re not safe. You could be decked out in a full-on sari or a modest dress, and there’s still some guy eyeing you like you’re the last piece of dessert at a party. Doesn’t matter if you’re 18 or 50, doesn’t matter if you're rich or poor—women are still chased. It’s the reality of being a woman in India. For many women, the harassment doesn’t stop when they get home. Patriarchy has an open-door policy. Tell your family you were followed, and the questions start: “Why were you out so late?” “Who were you with?” “What were you wearing?” Assault is dismissed, gaslit, or blamed on her choices. In some cases, the perpetrator isn’t even a stranger—he’s a relative, a neighbor, someone inside the home. But speaking up? That risks shame. Shame for the family, not for the culprit, of course.
4. Prey Gaze: Why Is It Always Our Fault?
Let’s talk about that gaze. You know the one. It’s like a person is literally undressing you with their eyes, trying to see straight through your body. Why? What did you do to deserve that look? But here’s the kicker: whether you’re wearing a saree or shorts, it’s the same story. “She’s asking for it,” they say. It’s not about your clothes—it’s about the guy’s mindset. You’ve probably turned your eyes away when some guy is openly peeing in public. But if you’re wearing something too revealing—oh no, it’s your fault. Here’s the truth: it’s never been about the clothes. It’s about the man (some of them) thinking it’s okay to stare, touch, or just make a woman feel unsafe because he can.
So, why are Indian women still fighting for basic safety in public? Because, somehow, we’ve been conditioned to think that men’s actions are acceptable and that women have to just deal with it. Well, the truth is, we don’t have to. We deserve better. We deserve respect. We deserve the right to walk down the street, ride a bus, or shop at the market without being harassed or treated like prey. And until that changes, we’ll keep fighting. Not because we have to, but because we shouldn’t have to fight for our basic dignity.
1. Public Transport: The ‘Accidental’ Groping Circus
Crowded Public Transport
( Image credit : Timeslife )
Buses, trains, metros—these are supposed to be lifelines, especially for women who don’t have the luxury of a private car or daily cab rides. You’d think with the sheer number of people around, someone might have learned the art of personal space by now. But, no. Men (some, of course) seem to think that they’ve got a free pass to touch, push, and generally invade women’s personal spaces like it’s a game. You’re just trying to get to college or work, and boom—someone’s hand is making uninvited contact. Why didn’t she speak up? Well, how do you point to someone in a crowd of hundreds? And when you do, what happens? They’ll deny it. “Wasn’t me.” Classic. Real men, the kind that actually protect and stand up for what’s right, will step in for a girlfriend, but when a stranger’s getting groped? Silence. If you’re with a boyfriend, suddenly every man around becomes a chivalrous hero. But when a woman is violated by a stranger? Silence. A real man wouldn’t just look the other way. But when real men are nowhere to be found, you just keep your head down and try to get home without being violated again.
2. Crowded Places: Eyes Everywhere, But No One to Help
Market
( Image credit : Timeslife )
Walk into a crowded area, and suddenly it’s like you’re the center of attention—but not the good kind. Men (again, some) seem to think that personal space is an illusion, and the most comfortable spot to stand is directly behind a woman. You know it’s happening. You feel those eyes. And when you turn around? Oh, no. They act like nothing’s wrong. But heaven forbid you speak up. The second you do, it’s your character that’s questioned. “What were you wearing? Why were you there?” The guy, however, is suddenly invisible. It’s as if standing up for yourself makes you the villain, and the real villain keeps on lurking in the crowd. Every single time it happens, you feel less and less human, less and less worthy of your own space.
3. Alone: Day or Night, the Chasing Never Ends
Chase
( Image credit : Timeslife )
You can be walking to your car in broad daylight or strolling down the street at night—either way, you’re not safe. You could be decked out in a full-on sari or a modest dress, and there’s still some guy eyeing you like you’re the last piece of dessert at a party. Doesn’t matter if you’re 18 or 50, doesn’t matter if you're rich or poor—women are still chased. It’s the reality of being a woman in India. For many women, the harassment doesn’t stop when they get home. Patriarchy has an open-door policy. Tell your family you were followed, and the questions start: “Why were you out so late?” “Who were you with?” “What were you wearing?” Assault is dismissed, gaslit, or blamed on her choices. In some cases, the perpetrator isn’t even a stranger—he’s a relative, a neighbor, someone inside the home. But speaking up? That risks shame. Shame for the family, not for the culprit, of course.
4. Prey Gaze: Why Is It Always Our Fault?
Gaze
( Image credit : Timeslife )
Let’s talk about that gaze. You know the one. It’s like a person is literally undressing you with their eyes, trying to see straight through your body. Why? What did you do to deserve that look? But here’s the kicker: whether you’re wearing a saree or shorts, it’s the same story. “She’s asking for it,” they say. It’s not about your clothes—it’s about the guy’s mindset. You’ve probably turned your eyes away when some guy is openly peeing in public. But if you’re wearing something too revealing—oh no, it’s your fault. Here’s the truth: it’s never been about the clothes. It’s about the man (some of them) thinking it’s okay to stare, touch, or just make a woman feel unsafe because he can.
So, why are Indian women still fighting for basic safety in public? Because, somehow, we’ve been conditioned to think that men’s actions are acceptable and that women have to just deal with it. Well, the truth is, we don’t have to. We deserve better. We deserve respect. We deserve the right to walk down the street, ride a bus, or shop at the market without being harassed or treated like prey. And until that changes, we’ll keep fighting. Not because we have to, but because we shouldn’t have to fight for our basic dignity.