There is increasing concern about women's safety in cities over the past few years. How can technology be used to ensure safety of women in cities? Examine.
Answers
India's rapid urbanisation is also characterised by rising crime rates especially crimes against women. In this context there is need to leverage modern technology along with other measures to prevent such crimes.
1. CCTV Cameras at the crime prone areas and most of the public places. They act as deterrence as well.
2. Live monitoring by use of such cameras and integrating it with the handheld devices with constables and police stations.
3. Mandatory SOS button on every phone. This has been recently ordered by the government.
4. Making the list of habitual offenders who do crime against women public.
5. Giving women electric machine to protect themselves. They should also trained to use it.
6. Developing an app whereby any women can seek help from any one using that app in case of distress.
7.Further recent government step to establish a cyber bullying monitoring cell to prevent cyber crime against women is welcome step.
Apart from these technological interventions there is need to improve conventional modes of protection of women against crimes such as strict laws with stringent penal provisions, sensitization of police personnel, more beat patrolling, promoting community policing etc.