A Safety Manual for Females on move.

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[PEOPLE MOBILITY INDIA]
SAFETY HANDBOOK
WOMEN IN TRANSIT
PRABHAT RANJAN
Conceptualized by people mobility India for working women Indian cities. A special drive to make women
transit safer than ever!!
This handbook is made as a simple first step towards a safer commute to and
from work for working women in cities.
Further you will explore:
▪ A compilation of the laws and guidelines for the safety of women in the
workforce
▪ A simple tip (and some useful tricks that will help you stay safe while
you are out and about

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PREFACE
People Mobility India Handbook for Women on the move is developed as a manual
for prompting and maintaining a safer commute experience for the female
workforce in India.
The objective of the initiative is to arm women with knowledge and replaces a sense
of vulnerability with a bit of confidence, and may be surge of courage, when it
needed the most.
Its service provider responsibility to provide a safe transportation experience and to
foster and contribute to the development of a safer environment for the women in
the country.
Though written mainly the women in mind, this handbook has been designed at a
vital document for Corporate India and all its employees for the Purpose of
internalizing critical safety measures.
We hope observing and implementing the guideline mentioned herein will help
prevent, or even deal with, a potential threatening situation.

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The first
step to
Knowingis
being
safe
Here are a few things
you need to know if
you are a woman
working in Corporate
India travelling to,
from, or for work.

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FEMALE SAFETY
Have you ever felt frightened or intimidated when out walking/ travelling
alone? Have you ever wondered what you should if fall prey of such situation?
Have you ever worried about becoming yet another home invasion statistic?
The sad reality is that we live in an increasingly violent society in which the
fear of crime is ever-present. Personal safety has become an issue of
importance for everyone, but especially for women.
Women’s safety and its issues are discussed and debated all around the globe.
Still every year the number of reports on such incident is increasing at an
alarming rate.
“MEN AND BOYS, WE SHOW OUR MANHOOD THROUGH THE WAY WE TREAT OUR
WOMEN. OUR COLLEAGUES, OUR WIVES, OUR SISTERS, OUR MOTHERS.”
ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU
“WE CANNOT ALL SUCCEED WHEN HALF OF US ARE HELD BACK.” MALALA
YOUSAFZAI
Safe transit for women and girls must be based on the recognition of women’s
and girls’ distinct roles, needs and experiences.
There are hundreds and thousands of women who avail public transportation
every day, and a vast majority of them travel after dark because of their
professional and social commitments. Whatever may the reason be, returning
to home horribly late at night could have serious safety issues for them.

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OBLIGATION OF YOUR EMPLOYER
Shop and Establishment Act in India under “Department of Lobour” through
its various regulatory clauses as per state sponsored S&E Act; places certain
obligation on the employer/ company, in case its employees’ women during
night shifts. Some of the indicative requirements that the employer is
mandated to comply which have been provided in this handbook. One should
contact the HR department in your company to receive further information
on their employer’s policy regarding one’s safety during the night shift.
RIGHT AND REMEDIES, YOU SHOULD BE AWARE IN CASE OF MISCONDUCT DURING YOUR
COIMMUTE
Legally, the ‘workplace’ includes not just your office, but also the commute
to work and back home, and the various trips undertaken for work. Under the
Sexual Harassment of Women at workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and
Redressal) Act 2013, transportation provided by employer for undertaking
journeys arising out of or during the course; of one’s employment falls under
the purview of the term “Workplace”. This means if one face any kind of
Sexual harassment during commute, one may file a written complaint to the
internal complaints committee will then be obligated to investigate and
submit its findings to employer in a time- bound manner.
THE FOLLIWING OFFENCES ARE PUNISHABLE UNDER THE INDIAN PENAL CODE 1860
❖ Intent to insult the modesty of any woman
by use of words, sounds, gestures, or the
exhibition of any object in such a way as to
intrude upon the privacy of a woman
Note:
In case you are a victim of any of the above
offences, you may file a police complaint.
Here are a few things you need to know
about the process
❖ Sexual Harassment
❖ Assault or criminal force with intent to
outrage a woman’s modesty
❖ Assault or criminal force with intent to
disrobe
❖ Voyeurism, Stalking, Rape
❖ Making obscene gestures, remarks, song or
recitation towards a woman

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▪ It is not necessary to file such a compliant physically at the police
station, instead you may file it online on the respective city Police
website.
▪ You may also register your complaints by way of a zero FIR, which
means that you can file a complaint at any police station irrespective
of the locations where the incident occurred or the jurisdiction it
comes under.
▪ You are also entitled to free legal aid under the Legal Services
Authorities Act, 1987. In this regard, you can approach a legal aid
clinic for assistance and help.
▪ You may also approach the National Commission for Women or your
State’s Commission for Women.
▪ There are all-women police stations that have been set up in certain
states to exclusively investigate crimes against women and focus on
sexual offences. You may consider approaching such all-women
police stations, in case that is preferable.
ARRESTS, SEARCHES, AND CONFIDENTIALITY:
A WOMAN CAN BE SEARCHED BY A FEMALE OFFICER ONLY.
SHE CANNOT BE ARRESTED AFTER SUNSET AND BEFORE SUNRISE, EXCEPT UNDER
EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
IN EXCEPTIONAL CASES WHERE A WOMAN NEEDS TO BE ARRESTED AT THESE ODD HOURS,
THE ARREST CAN ONLY BE CARRIED OUT BY A WOMAN POLICE OFFICER.
SUCH ARRESTS CAN BE MADE ONLY WITH THE PRIOR PERMISSION OF THE CONCERNED
JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE OF FIRST CLASS, OBTAINED AFTER MAKING A WRITTEN REPORT.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE CAN THE IDENTITY OF A VICTIM OF RAPE BE REVEALED.

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It is sacrosanct duty of
every company /
organization to ensure
the safety and security
of all employees,
particularly women, at
the workplace and
even while they
commute from home to
work and back.

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EMPLOYER
COVENENT FOR
SAFE
COMMUTE OF
FEMALE
WORKFORCE

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NASSCOM’ Guidelines and Industry Best Practices
▪ Company to provide employees with mandatory home pick-up and drop
between 1900 hrs. to 0600 hrs. The time window may vary from state to state
in line with respective applicable Shop & Establishments Act.
▪ Company to ensure GPS monitoring to prevent over speeding and route
deviation
▪ At times when first male rider is absent, the female employee should be
picked up after another male rider has been picked up. Alternatively, an
escort guard can be sent for her to be picked up.
▪ Escort to guard female employee when she is first to be picked up or last to be
drop off.
▪ Women employees to be picked up and dropped from/to the doorstep and
escorted by a guard or a male colleague in case non-motorable roads/lanes.
▪ Women employee to receive individual SMSS for each trip with vehicle and
driver details, along with ETA.
▪ Special care to be taken in planning vehicle occupancy and routing for family
way (pregnant) employees.
▪ At the end of each trip, women employees are to sign off on their safe arrival
at the destination. In the absence of a sign-off, the company’s security team
is required to initiate an investigation immediately.
▪ Women employees are to be mandated to report any untoward incident
immediately, using the SOS alarm in the cab, or by other means and expect
action
▪ Transport Department of the company to maintain daily track sheets of
women employees commuting during late hours with all details - name,
complete address, mobile number, emergency contact, name and phone
number of the reporting manager and co-passengers, car details, driver name
and number, departure time and ETA
▪ Random breath checks on drivers and escorts to prevent drunken state; liable
to penalty when found guilty.

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▪ Designated supervisors to conduct regular and effective checks on vehicle
movement and unwarranted driver activities – Unscheduled pick-up and
drop-off, route deviation etc.
▪ Through technical advancement it’s feasible to flag off thetrips having female
employees for ease of identification and required tracking.
❖ Companies to obtain the biodata of each driver and conduct pre-employment
screening. When employed through third party vendors, company to ensure
to its satisfaction that the drivers are screened and verified by the service
providers.
❖ All drivers to be screened, reviewed and verified before getting enlisted for
trip allocation in transportation eco-system
❖ Company to commission regular self-defense training for women employees
by professional trainers to combat emergency situations.
❖ If a female commuter signs out before or beyond a pre-defined drop location
while using transport tech solution, ideally security teams to be alerted sothat
they can take steps to ensure their safety immediately.
❖ Company’ssupervisoryofficetodecide thescheduleandrouteforpick-upand
drop. In case of exigencies, change of drivers/routes/shifts to be allowed only
with prior knowledge of supervisory officers/employees.
❖ Companies to run their own composite safety campaigns, viz. screening of
videos, messages from senior leadership, rewards for drivers, vendors, role
models, etc.
❖ At least one senior executive to be appointed as Women’s Safety Officer in
every establishment to oversee transport and security arrangements for
women employees.
❖ Floor huddles and employee discussions to educate and reiterate employee
safety guidelines are mandatory.
❖ Escort trips to be differentiated with a prominent marking on trip sheets; cabs
to be allowed to proceed for drops only after the transport team confirms
escort presence in the cab.

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❖ Employees to have ready access to list of key government contact numbers,
especially that of local police authorities.
❖ Companies to have a dedicated Central Command Centre that works 24x7
tracking of every trip for its maximum security.
❖ Transport Security Team to carry out regular briefing sessions for escort
guards and drivers to sensitize them about their roles and responsibilities.
❖ Woman employees to have access to a feedback form which each escort
guard must have in their possession.
❖ At the end of each trip with users should be able to register their feedback and
rate the trip, route and driver. This helps our teams assess possible safety
threats and ensure adequate service quality improvements.
BEST PRACTICE’S – getting on a cab
ON BOARDING ANY CAB, ALWAYS LOOKS FOR THESE 3 IMPORTANT THINGS:
✓ The child lock is disabled.
✓ The cab and/or the app contains a GPS panic button device/feature.
✓ The driver's identification along with the photo and registration number
of the vehicle is displayed prominently.

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Companies are mandated to designate
well-lit and secure surroundings for
boarding and de-boarding cabs.
no-no.
Shady
spot’s
are a strict

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Women employees have the right to refuse
the assigned cab if they feel uncomfortable
for any reason without being penalized for
delay, or even absence, due to the situation.
(Use discretion. Not to be misused.)
gut.
Trust
..
your
Take the
backseatWomen employees are prohibited from sitting in the
front seat. Though this may feel like a bummer for most
of us who like riding shotgun, the backseat is proven to
be safer and more convenient during trips with strangers.

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DosandDon’ts
DosBefore leaving
Work / home:
Be
✓ Web-wise.
Use social media, and more
importantly the phone itself,
wisely. Make sure strangers
cannot access your private
information.
Ensure there is enough charge
on your phone to last you the
whole trip. You should also
carry a power bank in your bag
to charge your phone on the
way, if needed.
Charge
✓ Your phone.
Though the guidelines that
follow are written with women
in mind, it would be wise for
both male and female
commuters to adopt these
guidelines as daily habits.
Ideally a charger
provision can be
enabled in all cabs
for the use in case
of emergencies.

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Check for child-locked
✓ Cab doors.
Check cab doors to see whether child lock is enabled before the trip starts.
Instruct the driver to disable it, if so.
Install a
✓ Safety App.
Install emergency Apps which can send SMS alerts to people you know
and trust. Some of them can even dial the police on your behalf, in case
of emergencies.
Activate
✓ Speed dials.
Pick at least 3 people who you trust and save their phone numbers on
speed dial for emergency situations.
Trust
✓ Your instincts.
If a driver makes you feel uncomfortable, don’t board the taxi. If you are
already in the cab, get out and get another one. Stay in touch with your
reporting manager and notify them of the situation.
Riders should have access to an SOS button in the App
andon the in-cabdevice. This button when pressed, alerts
the command center of your employer and security team
and in some of the cases to the local police control room
on your behalf, in accordance with defined escalation
matrix.

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During the trip:
Stay inside to stay safe.
If, during your commute, the cab has been rammed from behind, don’t open your car door
to investigate. Stay inside with the doors locked and wait for the police to arrive.
Open the window only a few centimeters’ to talk to someone outside the car, and only
when necessary.
Use your phone call to someone
Once the number has been dialed, don’t waste time explaining. Shout and try to speak
out the location.
Seek attention, your life may depend on it.
If you are being followed, rush to a crowded place immediately and shout to attract the
attention of passersby.
Use your phone camera.
If a confrontation ensues, threaten to take a picture of the attacker. This might scare
them away.
Here’s a tip to escape kidnapping.
If ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights, stick your arm out the
hole and start waving. The driver won't be able to see this, but everybody else will.

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Don’t zone out
While looking at your phone as you walk home, even if you have been
dropped by a cab or a friend only a few feet from your place.
Don’t take roadside cabs/minibuses
When you are alone, especially at night.
Don’t de-board in desolate areas.
Insist on being dropped at a well-lit and familiar spot.
Don’t stop your cab
For strangers, especially at night.
Don’t take calls outside
After getting dropped. Answer phone calls only when you have entered
your home/office.
Don’t take unknown short cuts;
Take only familiar routes.
Don’t take eve-teasing lightly.
Respond with a stern voice.
 A near-miss today could be an accident tomorrow.
Do report any incident, big or small, that made you uncomfortable or
afraid during your commute to work or back home.
Don’ts

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▪ Look around you, inside your car, at the passenger side floor, and in the
back seat before unlocking it or entering.
▪ Lock the doors immediately after entering the car.
▪ As soon as you get into the car, drive off. Do not make calls, check
shopping lists or sit idly.
▪ Keep your valuables - laptop, handbag, mobile phone - out of sight or
stowed away in the glove box.
Things
to keep
in mind
if you
drive to
Work
and back
home
every day!

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▪ If parked next to an unfamiliar van, enter the car from the door on the
other side. Most attackers try to pull women into their vans while they are
attempting to get into their cars.
▪ Keep the windows rolled up while driving.
▪ When in traffic, maintain enough space between your car and the one in
front of you, so you can pull out if necessary.
▪ Be especially cautious at locations that are crowded with street vendors,
newspaper sellers, hawkers, and pedestrians. Distractions at the window
leave one vulnerable to hijackers and smash-and-grab thugs.
▪ Avoid engaging with strangers on the road. Don’t give a lift to strangers.
▪ Beware of anyone who signals that there is something wrong with your car.
▪ Noise is your friend in times of danger. Sound the horn loudly and
repeatedly if you find yourself in a potentially at a dangerous situation.
▪ Avoid distractions driving. Keep the volume of your car radio at a
reasonable level so you are aware of your surroundings.
▪ Should the vehicle following you have police in it, they will approach you.
When they do, open the window just enough to speak to them, and ask to
see their Police IDs.
▪ In the event of an incident of road rage, don't get into a verbal exchange,
just take the high road and ignore the person.
▪ Never follow a stranger who offers to help you find your way on an
unfamiliar road or street. Wait in your vehicle and ask for directions.
▪ In case of a flat tyre in a dark or dangerous location, drive slowly to the
nearest service station or public place, even if it ruins the tyre.
▪ If at all you find yourself in a situation where you are held at gunpoint by
someone in your Car, DO NOT DRIVE OFF. Instead, crash your car into
anything and wreck it. The airbag will save you and give you just enough
time to unlock your car and bail out.

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▪ Be sure to travel only on crowded buses and trains.
▪ In case of eve-teasing, raise your voice to gather a crowd.
▪ Don't open your wallet while boarding abus or after. Instead, keep the fare
amount/pass ready in your hand.
▪ Look around for emergency buttons and exits. In a panic situation, you will
know where to go quickly.
▪ Avoid using a bus which has no passenger or very few passengers.
▪ Avoid isolated bus stops. Stay aware of the bus schedule.
▪ Stay alert and be aware of the people around you. If someone bothers you,
change seats, and make sure to report them.
What you
need to
know
if you take
Public
to work
Transport
and back
home
every day

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Plan
Your
Commute.
It is important to know
the time of the last
bus or train of the day
so that you are not
stranded or become
vulnerable to attack.

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Safety of traveler paramount and it’s a shared responsibility of all- involve in this
process. Few general points to be adhered are detailed below:
▪ Legally registered vehicle
Make a point to reserve legally registered cabs only when travelling, hence, it is
imperative for you to select an established and trustworthy taxi company.
Always remember to ask for recommendations from your personal and
professional network. Also, read the past customer testimonials and thoroughly
read the previously posted online reviews. Leverage the power of the internet as
well to aid your research.
▪ Reputable taxi operator
Well-known cab companies perform numerous background checks before hiring
the individuals who are to drive their cars. You should always remember to
choose a taxi service provider of impeccable repute.
▪ Book online taxi
It is pretty much standard for many people to embark the wrong cab during the
rush hours, which could potentially compromise with your safety and might put
you in a risky situation. However, booking taxis online eliminates any such
circumstances and assures you a safe journey to your desired destination.
▪ Vehicle information
Whenever you are to reserve the cabs, you should never forget to inquire about
what type of taxi will be arriving and the name of the chauffeur as well to make
it sure that you have availed the right vehicle, the one you have booked for
travelling.
▪ Carry your mobile
Use the speed dial of your phone in case of an emergency to call the police and
inform your loved ones. Always double-check the battery level of your cell phone
before every ride. Also, carry a power bank with you. These devices are very

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much beneficial to replenish your mobile phone with all the necessary juice it
requires and on the move.
▪ Restrict your conversation with the driver to a
professional level
Many riders like to engage in small talks with their chauffeurs to kill boredom
and pass time. However, you should be keeping it to a bare minimum level and
as little as possible. When it comes to riding taxis, you should always opt for the
very best cab providers whose drivers are professionally groomed and do not
engage in unnecessary private conversations with their clientele.
▪ Sit in the rear
It is always wise to keep a distance between you and your driver. Hence, as a rule
of thumb, you should be sitting in the back seat all the time and every time.
Here are just few things women do to “stay safe(r).”
▪ Walk with our keys grasped between our fingers in case we need to use
them as a weapon.
▪ Making sure to have the correct key out and ready before we get to our
door
▪ When someone is walking closely behind us on the street, we stop to
pretend to make a phone call or otherwise occupy ourselves to allow
them to pass in front of us.
▪ Walk past our destination, particularly if it’s our home, if someone has
been trailing us for a while.
▪ Scope out potential safe havens if someone appears to be following us.
▪ Stay in well-lit areas at night even if it means taking a longer route.
▪ Switch up our running routes to avoid potential stalkers learning our
route.
▪ Change direction if a car appears to be following us while we’re walking
on foot.

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▪ Run outdoors with only one earbud in to keep the other on our
surroundings.
▪ Pretend to listen to music while walking by men who attempt to engage
with us.
▪ Change the locks when housekeys are misplaced.
▪ Take alternative routes to avoid areas we know we are likely to face
street harassment.
▪ Cross the street when we see men who look like they might be drunk.
▪ Late at night, cross to the other side of the street when anyone is walking
towards us.
▪ Avoid eye contact with men trying to get our attention.
▪ Decide the cost of a taxi is worth it.
▪ Avoid entering stairwells or elevators occupied by only one other person
who is a stranger.
▪ Text a friend before going out for a run or on a date with a stranger.
▪ Avoid social situations if a man whose prior advance made us
uncomfortable might be there.
▪ Decide not to open Facebook messages from unknown men, who could
see the message has been “Read” and become hostile and harassing.
▪ Never open the door for someone we’re not expecting and stay still until
the doorbell stops ringing.
▪ When bringing heavy bags and packages into the house or apartment,
locking and unlocking the door with every trip.
▪ Avoid sleeping naked in case of an intruder or on-looker.
▪ Buy pepper spray: for the purse, for the car, one for the home.
▪ Make sure we’re not the only woman on the subway car or bus.
▪ Avoid getting off at our bus or train stop if a man who has been staring
exits at the same time.
▪ Check our mirrors frequently while driving, noting characteristics and
license plate numbers of cars trailing close behind.
▪ Driving in a circle if we sense we might be followed.
▪ Park next to a light post when it’s dark outside.
▪ Wear a hoodie when driving late at night to appear male to other drivers.

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▪ Check for an official city medallion number when entering a taxi.
▪ Never leave a drink unattended at a party.
▪ Run outside in baggy clothes, even if it’s hot, to decrease the chances of
unsolicited commentary on our anatomy.
▪ Making sure we have enough cell phone battery life before leaving one
location to last until we get to another.
▪ Avoid a carjacking
Lock all doors and keep windows up when driving. Most car-jackings take place
when vehicles are stopped at intersections. The criminal’s approach at a 45-
degree angle (in the blind spot), and either pull you out of the driver’s seat or
jump in the passenger’s seat.
▪ Be prepared when you travel
Violent crimes against women happen in the best and worst hotels around the
world. Predators may play the part of a hotel employee, push their way through
an open or unlocked door, or obtain a pass key to the room. As with home safety,
never open your door unless you are certain the person on the other side is
legitimate, and always carry a door wedge with you when you travel. A wedge is
often stronger than the door it secures.
▪ Use the Internet wisely
Although the Internet is educational and entertaining, it can also be full of
danger if one isn’t careful. When communicating online, use a nickname and
always keep personal information such as home address and phone number
confidential. Instruct family members to do the same. Keep current on security
issues, frauds, viruses, etc.

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In Parlance of services offered under People Mobility – Corporate Employee
Transportation services delivery eco-system and using cutting- edge technology
(IOT’s) below can be ensured.
BEFORE
▪ Chauffer’s Background Check’s
▪ Police Verifications
▪ Driver/ Vehicle’s Induction to the delivery-system
▪ Blocking/ Backlisting Non-Compliant Vehicles/ Drivers
▪ Employees/ Drivers - Phone Number Masking for Safety & Privacy
▪ Dashboard mounted GPS to avoid tempering
▪ Phone Based use of navigation as a fall back arrangements
▪ SMS/ IVR call based info sharing in advance for trips
IN-TRANSIT
▪ Lone Female Travelling during prescribed odd hours
▪ Panic (SOS) button
▪ Swipe/ Check-in/ sign on deviation alert
▪ Last mile – Real time GPS status
▪ 24x7 dedicated helpdesk
▪ Unauthorized stoppage
▪ Geo-boundary violations alerts
▪ Over speeding alerts
AFTER
▪ Safe departure completion/ confirmation
▪ Trip based feedback & Ratings

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Be wary of taking
new short cuts or
detours on your
daily commute. It
is wise to be
aware of all
possible routes
from your office
to your home. But
always pick the
busiest, most
well-lit one.
Know
Your
Way
Back.

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Disclaimer
This manual is a compilation of opinion, best practices and the material have been collected from
various sources including internet, industry best practices and personal experience in corporate
employee transportation to enable, establishing and maintaining the safest eco-system for women on
move. In pursuit of sharing and spreading awareness among all. This manual does not provide all
conditions necessary to promote safety. Each organization must develop a philosophy, commitment
and ethos of security. While it is necessary to have a book of rules, it is critical to conduct regular
reviews of current safety measures and training programmes as part of management’s safety
initiative.
Implied in each section of this manual is the understanding of author, and his concerns regarding
industry. Therefore, a claim of copyright or IP violation doesn’t constitute valid.
This compilation is copyright to Prabhat Ranjan @ 2019.