NCW pushes new safety rules for women using ride‑hailing apps

What Happened

NCW chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar on Friday said women must feel safe while using app‑based cab services and unveiled a set of safety guidelines for the sector. In an exclusive interview with PTI she explained that the commission’s recommendations aim to let women pursue careers without fearing their commute. The guidelines, issued last month, call for mandatory driver background and police verification, installation of physical SOS buttons in every cab, and enhanced night‑time safety measures such as real‑time alerts for route deviations or suspicious stops. They also require a dedicated 24‑hour Command and Control Centre that must respond to SOS alerts within 60 seconds, and a time‑bound grievance redressal system for cases of harassment, assault or driver misconduct. Rahatkar has written to the chief secretaries of all states and Union territories urging swift implementation of these measures. She highlighted the rising number of working women and their growing presence in sectors like defence, science and technology, saying safety safeguards must keep pace with this trend. The chairperson linked the guidelines to the four Labour Codes that now allow women to work night shifts, placing responsibility for night‑time safety on employers. Rahatkar expressed confidence that the recommendations will be considered seriously and implemented effectively, stressing that women should not have to worry about personal safety at the cost of their professional growth.

Context

The guidelines extend existing transport safety rules by adding technology‑based alerts and rapid response teams, reflecting broader government efforts to improve women’s security in public spaces.