Tourist Safety Initiatives by Indian Government Strengthen Women’s Security
The safety and security of tourists in India is primarily managed at the state level. In a recent statement, the Union Minister for Tourism and Culture, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, noted that there is currently no plan to establish a national women safety policy within the Ministry of Tourism. However, the Ministry is actively encouraging state governments and Union Territory (UT) administrations to implement dedicated Tourist Police forces to enhance the on-ground safety mechanisms for visitors.
As a result of these initiatives, several states and UTs, including Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, and Uttar Pradesh, have successfully deployed Tourist Police to better protect tourists.
24/7 Multi-Lingual Tourist Helpline Established
To further ensure the safety of tourists, the Ministry of Tourism has launched a 24/7 Multi-Lingual Tourist Helpline. Available at the toll-free number 1800111363 and the short code 1363, this service is accessible in 12 languages, including 10 international languages such as German, French, Spanish, and Arabic, in addition to Hindi and English. This helpline is designed to provide essential information and guidance to both domestic and foreign tourists, particularly those facing distress while traveling in India.
Nirbhaya Fund for Women’s Safety Projects
Additionally, the government has created a non-lapsable corpus known as the Nirbhaya Fund, administered by the Department of Economic Affairs within the Ministry of Finance. This fund is dedicated to financing projects aimed specifically at enhancing the safety and security of women. The Ministry of Tourism has been encouraging all states and UTs to leverage the benefits of the ‘Safe Tourism Destinations for Women’ initiative under this fund to implement measures focused on safeguarding women tourists.
Collaborative Guidelines for Safe Tourism
Working alongside all stakeholders, including tourism departments across states and UTs, the Ministry of Tourism has established a ‘Code of Conduct for Safe & Honourable Tourism.’ This set of guidelines aims to foster respectful tourism activities that uphold the dignity and safety of both tourists and local residents, particularly women and children.
Efforts by Ministry of Home Affairs
The responsibility of maintaining law and order—including the protection of women and children—rests with individual state governments, as clarified by the Women Safety Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs. To support these efforts, the Ministry has been assisting states and UTs with various initiatives. Notably, financial aid has been provided for establishing Women Help Desks (WHD) in police stations, with 14,658 WHDs set up so far. These desks, predominantly staffed by female police officials, serve as friendly points of contact for women seeking assistance.
Furthermore, advisories have been issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, offering detailed guidance for police handling crimes against women and children. This guidance highlights measures for preventing crime, effective investigation, and police training based on sensitive interactions with women.
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