Published Paper Details:

Despite notable advancements in women's rights and empowerment in India after independence, there is still a sizable gender gap in the workforce, particularly in urban areas. This study focuses on Gurugram, a major city that has issues with women's safety in public settings, to explore the effect of dangerous transportation on women's decision to work. The study uses a causal-comparative/quasi-experimental research approach to investigate the causes of risky transportation and women's engagement in the workforce. According to primary data gathered from 97 working women in the organised and unorganised sectors using questionnaires and structured interviews, 40% of women have seen some kind of crime against women in public places. Among these, 83.5% of those polled said their decision to work was badly impacted by traffic and public space crimes, while 78.3% of women in the unorganized sector considered their commuting experience as unsafe. The study emphasises the demand for a gender-sensitive strategy in infrastructure design and transportation. The number of police officers should be increased, drop-off services supplied by employers should be implemented, lighting and CCTV cameras should be installed on the roadways, and public transit routes and frequency should be improved. Such actions can help create a safer atmosphere for women and advance their empowerment and involvement in the workforce. The safety and mobility of women in public areas must be prioritised through inclusive policies in order for urban growth to be sustainable. Cities can close the gender gap in job participation and create a more equal and prosperous future for everyone by tackling the problems with unsafe transportation.