Bombay: A girl's guide to the city

By Aamena Kapadia, TYBA

(Trigger warning- mentions of rape and violence)

 Arundhati Roy once said,“There’s no such thing as the ‘voiceless’. There are only the deliberately silenced, or the preferably unheard.” (A. Roy, 2004)

Walking through the streets of Mumbai whether it’s the morning or late night strolls along Marine Drive, the vada pav stalls at every corner, or the bustling rush of the local trains seem to represent the essence of this vibrant city. Yet when it comes to the accessibility of these spaces, who truly enjoys them?

Mumbai is often romanticized as "the city that never sleeps," yet beneath this vibrant image lies a stark contradiction. While its streets pulse with energy, they remain perilous for women, embodying the unsettling irony of a city that promises freedom but fosters fear. For women, navigating Mumbai often involves adhering to an unspoken set of rules; a mental map that dictates which streets to avoid, which times are considered safe, and how to constantly keep one’s guard up against the ever-present threat of harassment.

The daily news frequently highlights incidents of violence against women, each report more disheartening than the last. Yet, despite the recurring nature of these stories little seems to change. The city's paradox endures, prompting questions about who truly benefits from the safety and freedom it claims to provide.

The Times of India recently published data on overall crimes against women in the city, which reflected an increase from 3,488 cases in Jan-July 2023 to 3,500 cases in Jan-July 2024. Key among these were cases of molestation and intended insult to the modesty of women that surged by 5% collectively, from 1,616 cases to 1,689 cases (Tnn, 2024).

These statistics implore us to ask if there is any place truly safe for women whether it’s walking down a quiet lane, using a mode of public transport, or even within the confines of one’s domestic set-up, safety often becomes an illusion. 

One of the most striking aspects of life in Mumbai is its public transportation system.

Reflecting on a personal experience from my school days, I vividly remember traveling in a crowded BEST bus, where it was so crowded that anyone could hardly move a muscle.  However, the unsettling part was seeing a young girl being cornered by a man. This incident left me with a lasting sense of unease about using public buses.

Beyond these day-to-day challenges, women face additional burdens during their daily commutes. For example, traveling by local train is a necessity for many, yet the safety measures in place often fall short. While there is a dedicated ladies' compartment, it is available only during certain hours. This raises the question: are women inherently safer in the general compartments at other times? In the night, a police officer is stationed in the lady's first-class compartment, prompting us to ask the question- is there only a certain class of the population that can afford, deserve or require protection during the night, unveiling the layers of classism, and disparity within the gendering. The inconsistency in these provisions suggests a broader societal failure to prioritize women's safety in public spaces.

Social gatherings and public events are also arenas where gendered experiences are

pronounced. Whether attending a concert at a popular venue or participating in a community festival, women often grapple with the duality of enjoying public spaces while remaining vigilant. The risk of harassment or inappropriate behavior can overshadow the pleasure of communal activities.

Workplaces, too, are not immune to these issues. Women in professional settings frequently

encounter challenges related to gender biases and workplace safety. The pressure to assert

oneself while managing perceptions and avoiding potential conflicts adds another layer to their

daily experiences.

The gendering of Mumbai extends beyond its crowded trains and bustling streets. Everyday activities are also marked by gendered experiences that shape a woman’s life in the city. For instance, the marketplaces of Mumbai, like the Colaba Causeway or Crawford Market. While these places are full of crowds where hawkers and customers bargain, women navigating these crowds often face unwanted attention. From intrusive glances to lingering unwanted physical contact, there is an absence of privacy, and in that process, personal space is frequently invaded.

Erving Goffman’s concept of “impression management” provides valuable insight into such dynamics. In the densely packed and often uncomfortable space of public transport, women frequently engage in impression management to navigate their surroundings safely. This may involve strategies such as avoiding eye contact, adopting specific body postures, or dressing in ways that deflect attention. These behaviors are less about personal choice and more about survival, an essential adaptation to spaces that, while shared, are also deeply gendered and unequal.

This happens in any public sphere, walking down the street, women are often subjected to the male gaze,  turning even the most familiar routes into spaces of intimidation. The feeling of being watched isn’t limited to men, it also manifests in traditional forms of surveillance, such as the scrutiny of neighborhood "aunties" who monitor behavior, the older women who kept a close eye on you through modern technologies like CCTV cameras watching from every corner, turning the city into a network of surveillance that tracks not just movement but morality. Together, these forces transform the city into a complex network of surveillance that governs both visibility and conduct.

Michel Foucault's concept of "the panopticon" is particularly relevant in understanding this phenomenon. The pervasive sense of being watched whether through the eyes of others or the societal gaze enforces a constant state of vigilance and self-regulation among women.

In the realm of housing, the dynamics shift again. Women living alone or renting apartments in Mumbai often face additional scrutiny. The pervasive concern about safety means that choosing a home involves not only considering income, location, and amenities but also assessing the perceived security of the neighborhood. The burden of ensuring one’s safety extends into the very walls of one’s living space. This reflects a form of social hegemony where dominant societal norms dictate women’s choices and perceptions of safety, reinforcing traditional gender roles and expectations. 

Shilpa Phadke in her article, “Re-mapping the public: Gendered spaces in Mumbai” talks about how public spaces are inherently gendered, reflecting societal power dynamics that restrict women’s access and mobility. Phadke argues that women have to constantly negotiate between freedom and fear whether it’s in a local train full of people or on the streets of Mumbai.(Phadke,2014) The interplay of caste, class, sexuality and religion further impact the daily negotiations women face in relation to their gendered realities

In Mumbai, women constantly navigate their presence in a city where gender-based violence and discrimination persist, despite its reputation for progress and opportunity. The city’s promise of freedom is tempered by the realities of navigating its complex social landscape.

References

Sydney Peace Foundation. (2016, May 11). Arundhati Roy 2004 City of Sydney Peace Prize lecture [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anlsHkOaK7g

Tnn. (2024b, August 23). Rape cases reduce in Mumbai, but molestation cases rise this year.The Times of India. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/rape-cases-down-in-city-but-molestation-rises-this-year/articleshow/112719656.cms

Phadke, S. (2014). Re-Mapping the Public: Gendered Spaces in Mumbai. Tiss.

https://www.academia.edu/270060/Re_Mapping_the_Public_Gendered_Spaces_In_Mumbai