‘Make public transport safer, laws stricter’: Women pursuing higher education in Ahmedabad

Women pursuing higher education in Ahmedabad are growing increasingly concerned about their safety, particularly when using public transport. The alleged rape of a 23-year-old design student in an apartment building has forced many young women to question their sense of security in the city. Nupur, an 18-year-old management student, expressed discomfort with her daily bus journey to and from college.

Another student, who has lived in a girls' hostel for a year, echoed this concern, stating that using public transport makes her feel unsafe. Living in a paying guest or PG accommodation also raises safety issues, with residents expressing vulnerability when going out. Many women feel that men staring at them is a common problem.

The warden of a PG facility mentioned that residents need parents' permission to attend college functions and are not allowed to leave the premises after 11 pm. She also pointed out that no delivery personnel are allowed entry, and maintenance personnel complete their jobs under supervision. Ishita, a 20-year-old PG student, believes that a stricter system is needed in dealing with sexual crimes, questioning the point of going to jail and then getting bail.

She also emphasized the importance of changing societal attitudes towards such incidents. Police officials acknowledged that women's safety concerns are extending beyond physical attacks, with many complaints involving online harassment. They highlighted that many women approach the police only to warn or frighten their harasser, and some do not report at all due to fear of family or social repercussions.

Even when police conduct awareness drives, some women still do not report incidents due to fear of societal consequences. The police officer noted that families and communities also play a role in making women feel safe, stressing that objectifying women is a societal issue. In the August 8 case, the accused was shot when he attempted to escape from a police officer.

He is now in Sabarmati Central Jail. Police officials advised women to call 181 and 112 for help. SHE Teams in Ahmedabad have attended 13 calls made by women in distress, visited 715 schools and colleges for sensitization, and held 423 awareness campaigns to prevent sexual harassment since January 2026.