The much-anticipated NARI 2025 report has been released, and its findings paint a worrying picture for women’s safety and inclusivity in Indian cities. While some metros have shown improvement, others continue to lag behind, raising urgent questions about urban governance, infrastructure, and gender equality.
Key Findings of the NARI 2025 Report
According to the report, Delhi, Kolkata, and Patna are at the bottom of the Women’s Safety & Inclusivity Index. These cities scored poorly on parameters such as:
- Safety & Security – crime rates, police responsiveness, and public transport safety.
- Economic Participation – employment opportunities, gender pay gap, and workplace inclusivity.
- Healthcare Access – maternal health, sanitation, and availability of women-centric facilities.
- Social Inclusivity – representation in leadership, education, and political participation.
Meanwhile, cities like Pune, Bengaluru, and Chennai emerged as top performers, showing strong progress in providing safer public spaces, better healthcare, and improved job opportunities for women.
City-Wise Performance
Below is a visual representation of how major cities performed on the NARI 2025 Women’s Safety & Inclusivity Index (out of 100):
- Delhi (38) – Remains one of the most unsafe metros despite several initiatives.
- Kolkata (40) – Struggles with weak law enforcement and lack of women-centric infrastructure.
- Patna (42) – Poor urban planning and lack of safety measures push it down the rankings.
- Mumbai (65) – Shows moderate performance but still faces challenges in overcrowded areas.
- Chennai (70) – Strong in healthcare and education for women.
- Bengaluru (72) – Ranks high due to IT-sector-driven opportunities for women.
- Hyderabad (68) – Balanced growth in safety and inclusivity, but room for improvement.
- Pune (75) – Emerges as the best-performing city, with strong social and economic indicators.
Why Are Some Cities Failing Women?
Experts point out several reasons behind the poor performance of Delhi, Kolkata, and Patna:
- High Crime Rates – NCRB data shows Delhi continues to top the list for crimes against women.
- Poor Infrastructure – Lack of safe transport options, street lighting, and women-friendly public spaces.
- Economic Disparity – Limited employment opportunities for women in tier-2 and tier-3 cities.
- Weak Implementation of Laws – Despite laws in place, enforcement remains inconsistent.
Global Comparison
Interestingly, the report also compared Indian metros with global benchmarks. Cities like Tokyo, London, and Toronto scored above 85 on women’s safety and inclusivity, highlighting the gap India needs to bridge.
What Needs to Change?
The NARI 2025 report recommends:
- Improved law enforcement with women-focused policing.
- More women in public transport systems such as female bus drivers, metro staff, and security.
- Stronger workplace policies ensuring equal pay and career growth.
- Awareness campaigns to break social stigma and promote inclusivity.
Conclusion
The NARI 2025 report sends a strong message: unless immediate and effective measures are taken, cities like Delhi, Kolkata, and Patna will continue to fail their women citizens. On the brighter side, success stories like Pune, Bengaluru, and Chennai prove that with the right policies, progress is achievable.
As India grows as a global economy, ensuring women’s safety and equal participation is not just a social necessity but an economic one.