City women call for better safety measures & amenities at workplaces

Guwahati: On the occasion of International Women’s Day, women residents of the city called for stronger safety measures in work spaces and improved surveillance in public to ensure that women feel secure while moving around the city.

They also sought dedicated breastfeeding areas for mothers.Despite the growing presence of women in the workforce, the city still lacks basic facilities that address their needs. Parismita Dutta, a resident of Guwahati, said, “Even today women contribute significantly to the workforce, but there is still not much respect for them. They often have to deal with judgment and unnecessary scrutiny, which makes the workplace discouraging for many of us.”

Working mothers, in particular, pointed out the absence of designated breastfeeding spaces in offices and public spaces. They said the lack of such facilities often forces women to use uncomfortable and unhygienic spaces. “If we go around the city, we will hardly find a single proper and functional breastfeeding space. There must be designated spaces with adequate privacy so that working mothers can feed their babies with dignity while continuing their professional responsibilities,” said Reita Bhattacharyya, a resident of the Athgaon area.

While the city has been growing rapidly, with modern infrastructure coming up, women say safety on the streets remains a major concern. Even today, many of them feel anxious about walking alone at night for fear of being confronted by anti-social elements.“Despite the development we see around us, basic safety is still a concern for women. Many of us hesitate to walk alone or step outside our homes,” said Swapna Acharjee, whose mobile phone was recently snatched by two youths on a speeding scooter.She added that even today, many women hesitate to walk alone at night. More police patrolling, CCTV cameras and proper lighting are necessary in small lanes, and there is need to curb drug menace.