By Government Cyberpark, in collaboration with the Kerala Women’s Commission, hosted an awareness session on Safety of Women During Night Travel, addressing growing concerns around security and mobility for women commuting after dark.
The session was led by Adv. P. Satheedevi, former Member of Parliament and Chairperson of the Kerala Women’s Commission, who highlighted risks associated with night travel and stressed the collective responsibility of institutions, employers and communities in ensuring safer public spaces for women.
The programme focused on practical safety preparedness, legal awareness, and emergency support systems available to women in Kerala. Participants were advised to adopt precautionary travel practices such as sharing live location details with family members, ensuring mobile phones remain charged or carrying a power bank, prioritising public transport where possible, and sharing taxi details, including vehicle registration numbers and driver photographs, with trusted contacts.
Adv. Satheedevi also highlighted critical legal rights and emergency support mechanisms available to women. She emphasised the provision of Zero FIR, which allows survivors to register complaints at any police station irrespective of jurisdiction. Participants were informed about 112, India’s integrated emergency response number, which ensures rapid assistance through centralised control rooms, often enabling response within minutes.
The session also outlined key women-centric safety helplines and services, including: 181 – Women’s Safety and Assistance / Mythra 24-hour Women Support Service, 139 – Railway Emergency Helpline, enabling Railway Police to reach passengers at their seat location, 1091 – Pink Police Helpline (Kozhikode), 9747001099 – Shubhayathra Highway Assistance Number and 9477900200 – Chiri Juvenile Helpline for child-related complaints.
Participants were also sensitised about workplace protection laws, including the POSH Act (Prevention of Sexual Harassment Act), which safeguards women from sexual harassment in professional environments.
The Kerala Women’s Commission additionally highlighted “Ente Koodu,” a Kerala Government accommodation initiative offering safe and affordable short-stay facilities for women near major transit hubs in Kozhikode, Ernakulam, and Thiruvananthapuram, with rooms available at nominal hourly rates.
Organisers said the initiative aimed to move conversations on women’s safety beyond individual caution towards systemic awareness and shared accountability. The session encouraged women professionals to actively engage in discussions and contribute to building safer workplace and commuting ecosystems.
Others who attended the event included Kerala Women’s Commission Director Shaji Sugunan; Anushree M, HR and Marketing Manager at Cyberpark Kozhikode; Adv. P. Kunjaisha, Member, Kerala Women’s Commission; Rageesh Parakode, Assistant Sub-Inspector, Juvenile Wing, Kozhikode; and Chandrashobha K, Law Officer, Women’s Commission. The programme forms part of broader efforts by Cyberpark and the Kerala Women’s Commission to address gender-specific safety challenges in public and work-related travel.
