NHRC issues advisory on women’s safety in India

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued an advisory titled ‘Women’s Safety at Work and Public Spaces’ to address ongoing security concerns for women in India. The advisory has been sent to the Secretaries of 10 Union Ministries, the Chairperson of the Railway Board, and the Chief Secretaries or Administrators of all states and Union Territories.

The NHRC noted that while stringent laws exist, safety remains a significant issue. Citing a 2026 National Crime Records Bureau report, the commission highlighted that approximately 4.4 lakh cases of crimes against women were reported. Additionally, the Periodic Labour Force Participation Survey indicated women's labour force participation stood at 34.6 per cent as of September 2026.

The advisory focuses on eight priority areas: raising awareness regarding sexual harassment, improving infrastructure, encouraging bystander intervention, enhancing police roles, providing survivor support, addressing cybercrime, implementing long-term reforms, and other safety measures. The commission has requested progress reports on the implementation of these measures within two months.