Silent victims of Gurugram

Gurugram: Six years after the Nirbhaya rape case which had resulted in massive hue and cry on the issue of women security, the working women especially the maids and women from north eastern states highlight that they still worry about their security while working and travelling in the city. Most of the working women call themselves as silent victims and highlight that how they face uncomfortable situation of getting leered at, been groped to even been considered as sex workers.

As Gurugram has grown over the years, most of the working women from Bengal, UP, Bihar and North Eastern states migrated to the city for better employment prospects.

Most of the working women have advanced from being just maids to being employed in small retail joints, industrial units to being employees in business process outsourcing centres.

The compulsion of women to travel during late nights, dependency on private transportation due to absence of public transport facilities and language barriers often make them a soft target in the city.

Kim, who hails from Manipur and works in one of the malls in MG road says, "My shift timing gets over at 11:00 pm. Travelling through MG road in the night is a challenge and often I have to face very difficult situations."

Kim added, "Gurugram may be called the Cyber city but it still has a regressive mindset. I feel most of the men over here are not comfortable with an independent women."

Rupali, who hails from Jalpaiguiri, Bengal and works as a domestic cook said, "It is extremely difficult to travel in a public transport of Gurugram in the night. Not only do they drive rashly, they are drunk and are rude with women travelers."

In highlighting that situation in Gurugram is improving steadily with regards to women security, a senior official from Gurugram Police said, "Like any big city, Gurugram too has its challenges. There are sexual rackets that are prevalent in various parts of the city. Women from North East and maids from West Bengal and Nepal are most susceptible and are often approached by the touts. We are keeping a close vigil to ensure these working women are not exploited."