In the wake of a disturbing assault in southeast Delhi on September 21, where a 17-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped by three men impersonating police officers, concerns over women’s safety in the Indian capital have intensified. The same attack also involved the girl’s 17-year-old male companion, who was assaulted. The incident sparked widespread protests, led largely by students and young women, demanding safer public spaces and greater freedom to move without fear.

For many women like Iffat, a student and member of the Muslim minority in Delhi, personal safety is a constant consideration. She rarely leaves home without pepper spray, which she describes as her “saviour,” even though she hopes never to need it. Such precautions have become routine for women navigating Delhi, influencing decisions on which routes to take, how late to stay out, and how to travel home. These day-to-day fears are embedded in a broader social context where women often face restrictions not imposed on men, such as expectations to return home before dark.

Shaijal Gupta, a researcher at Delhi University, reflects that the fear women experience in the city is not limited to one incident but is a persistent reality. Like many others, she alters her movements after nightfall, opting for longer routes or women-only sections on the metro when possible. She recalls an incident in her hometown of Kanpur where she felt compelled to defend herself against threatening men.

The ongoing debate questions why the burden of preventing violence tends to fall disproportionately on women rather than addressing the behavior of offenders. Gitanjali Anand, a doctoral student at Jawaharlal Nehru University, highlights a recurring pattern where public outrage peaks following severe cases of violence but quickly subsides, leaving the underlying social normalization of harassment and institutional inaction unchallenged.

Madhavi Meena, a master’s student studying youth politics, argues that restrictive measures on women’s mobility serve to further marginalize those already vulnerable. She calls for structural change, including holding perpetrators accountable and increasing women’s political representation. The Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, plans to expedite the implementation of a 2023 amendment mandating a 33 percent quota for women in Parliament and state assemblies. Meena advocates for even greater representation, proposing a 50 percent quota, contending that enhanced political inclusion is essential to addressing women’s safety.

For Meena and others, the responsibility for creating safer environments should not come at the cost of women withdrawing from public life. “Why should I leave Delhi?” she asks, emphasizing that fear should not force women to abandon public spaces like parks. The protests and ongoing conversations underscore a continued demand for systemic change, focusing on offender accountability, social attitudes, and ensuring that women can claim the city’s streets without fear.