Women’s Safety Rankings Across Cities

The National Annual Report and Index on Women’s Safety (NARI) 2025 ranks various Indian cities based on a comprehensive survey examining women's perceptions of safety and security in urban areas. The report, released on August 28, 2025, evaluates the safety conditions for women in 31 cities through feedback gathered from 12,770 women, producing a national safety score of 65%.

Key Findings:

• Top-Ranked Cities for Women's Safety:

  • Kohima, Visakhapatnam, Bhubaneswar, Aizawl, Gangtok, Itanagar, and Mumbai emerged as the safest cities, linking their higher safety scores to factors such as improved gender equity, civic participation, robust policing, and supportive infrastructure.

• Lowest-Ranked Cities:

  • Patna, Jaipur, Faridabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Srinagar, and Ranchi ranked the lowest. The report attributes their low scores to heightened patriarchal norms, inadequate urban infrastructure, and lower institutional responsiveness.

• Perceptions of Safety:

  • Approximately 60% of women surveyed reported feeling safe in their cities. However, 40% expressed feelings of being "not so safe" or "unsafe," particularly at night in public transport and recreational spaces.
  • Educational institutions had a high safety perception, with 86% of women feeling safe during the day; however, this perception significantly decreased at night.

• Workplace Safety:

  • Approximately 91% of women indicated they felt safe, though half were unsure if their workplaces had a POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) policy. Those who were aware of such policies generally found them effective.

• Reporting of Harassment:

  • Only one-fourth of women expressed trust in authorities to act effectively regarding safety complaints. Despite 69% feeling that current safety measures were somewhat adequate, 30% noted significant shortcomings.
  • A considerable 7% of women reported experiencing harassment in public spaces, with that figure rising to 14% among those aged under 24. Neighborhoods (38%) and public transportation (29%) were particularly noted as harassment hotspots, yet only one in three victims reported incidents.

Recommendations and Observations:

• The report highlights that factual crime data does not adequately capture the realities faced by women; two-thirds do not report harassment incidents. The need for integration of crime data with perception-based surveys like NARI is emphasized.

• National Commission for Women (NCW) Insights:

  • NCW chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar stressed that women's safety impacts all facets of their lives, including education, health, and economic opportunities. She emphasized the necessity of creating safe environments as critical to national development.

• Positive Measures Commended:

  • Initiatives like the inclusion of women in police forces (33% in certain union territories) and actions such as women's helplines, increased CCTV coverage, and improved safety networks in public transport were highlighted as confidence-building measures.

• Emphasis was placed on collective societal responsibility in ensuring women's safety. Rahatkar urged community involvement in maintaining public facilities and supporting awareness initiatives.

• Call for Action:

  • The report concluded that women's safety encompasses not just the prevention of violence and harassment but also involves guaranteeing equal opportunities, equitable wages, and a respectful work environment.

Additional Information:

• The NARI index is a collaborative effort organized by Pvalue Analytics, The NorthCap University, and Jindal Global Law School, and published by the Group of Intellectuals and Academicians (GIA).

Summary Bullet Points:

• NARI 2025 ranks Kohima, Visakhapatnam, Bhubaneswar, Aizawl, Gangtok, Itanagar, and Mumbai as the safest cities for women.
• Patna, Jaipur, Faridabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Srinagar, and Ranchi score the lowest due to weak infrastructure and patriarchal norms.
• 60% of surveyed women feel safe; however, 40% do not, especially at night in public spaces.
• Only 25% trust authorities to act on safety complaints; 69% find current safety measures somewhat adequate.
• A significant number of women do not report harassment incidents; societal responsibility is crucial.
• NCW emphasizes comprehensive safety beyond mere law enforcement, advocating for equal opportunities for women.

The findings from the NARI report underscore the complexity of women's safety in India and the imperative for continued efforts to create safe environments conducive to women's growth and well-being.