Mumbai needs infrastructure, amenities for women, say NGOs, activists

In a letter addressed to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, women activists, politicians and professionals have asked the authorities to specify how they envisage women’s participation in the city and what infrastructure will be provided to support the plan.

Women activists and NGOs want the Maharashtra government to make gender-specific allocations in the development plan.

In a letter addressed to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, women activists, politicians and professionals have asked the authorities to specify how they envisage women’s participation in the city and what infrastructure will be provided to support the plan.

“Men and women use the city differently at different times of the day or night. Their needs are different, and these should be considered while making long-term infrastructure plans for the city,” said Nandita Shah, co-director, Akshara.

The 2011 World Bank study indicates the usage of public transport, especially buses, by women is higher.

The availability of waiting rooms at bus and train termini should be specified in the development plan.

The NGOs have demanded land for crèches, day-care centres for children, working women’s hostels, girl student hostels and reserved space for women at community centres.

“The plan should be sensitive to the needs of marginalised groups. This includes women, the disabled, children and poor. The government should plan for more skill-training centres for women,” said Saba Khan, who works with the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS).