New Delhi, 27 October (H.S.): The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a comprehensive advisory on women’s safety at workplaces and in public spaces, urging authorities to strengthen preventive measures and ensure a safer environment for women.

The advisory has been sent to the secretaries of 10 Union ministries, the chairman of the Railway Board, and the chief secretaries and administrators of all states and Union Territories. The Commission has urged the concerned authorities and departments to implement its recommendations and submit action-taken reports (ATRs) within two months, detailing the progress made.

The NHRC noted that although India has stringent laws to protect women’s rights, their safety at workplaces and in public spaces remains a serious concern. Citing data, the Commission stated that women’s share in the labour force stood at 34.6 per cent in September 2026, according to the Periodic Labour Force Survey. It also referred to approximately 4.4 lakh cases of crimes against women, citing what the advisory described as the National Crime Records Bureau’s 2026 report.

The Commission said these figures highlighted the persistent challenges involved in ensuring women’s safety and underscored the need for coordinated and sustained efforts. It emphasised that women’s safety is essential to protecting their constitutional rights, ensuring access to justice and promoting equal opportunities.

The advisory has been circulated to the Railway Board and the Ministries of Women and Child Development, Education, Home Affairs, Information and Broadcasting, Labour and Employment, Corporate Affairs, Road Transport and Highways, Housing and Urban Affairs, and Health and Family Welfare.

The NHRC’s recommendations focus on eight key areas: raising awareness, improving infrastructure, encouraging bystander intervention during incidents, making policing more responsive and proactive, ensuring comprehensive assistance and rehabilitation for survivors, preventing cybercrime against women, introducing long-term institutional reforms, and implementing other practical measures.

The Commission has urged all concerned authorities to implement the recommendations at the earliest. It said the action-taken reports would help assess progress and support efforts to create a safer and more empowering environment for women across the country.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar