New Delhi: It is alarming and poignant when majority of travel portals and blogs vociferously declare women security a serious issue in the national capital. A simple Google search highlights a volley of “preventive measures” these blogs dish out for women from all walks of life to live and travel in Delhi. The capital and its reputation with women-centric crimes is a by-product of the constantly increasing numbers in the past five years. It is highly questionable if anything can be expected to be different as we usher in 2017.

Firstly, to understand the way forward in terms of having a woman ‘friendly city,’ a glance at these numbers highlight that crime against women has seen a steep increase since 2012. Delhi police’s data reveals that a number of cases registered under different heads increased almost threefold till 2015. In the year 2016, there was a slight dip in the number of cases. But the question is, can we read too much into this fact?

In 2012, the total number of crime against women was 6752; for 2015, this number rose to a whopping 15,755, and till November this year, the number was 13,997. To put it in perspective, these heads include rape, dowry cases, assault, and kidnapping. The data till November 2016 shows 1,981 cases of rape being registered in the national capital.

While the city initially took the increase in numbers as a positive sign, it still remains to be seen that whether Delhi can come out of the shadows of being termed unsafe for women. Story after story, the grim reality added to the tarnished image of Delhi the world over. Media reports worsened the situation with Delhiites being projected as misogynist and anti-women in general. Debates in the academic circles over gruesome rapes sort of reflected poorly on the fabric of the city itself.

For 2017, the only tiny ray of hope is the centralised helpline number 112. The new number, which is on the brink of being fully functional, will be the one stop shop for all distress calls. The idea behind the centralised emergency help line is to streamline and provide quick assistance as swiftly as possible.

In many cases, the shortage of female cops has been highlighted by both people and administration. To cater to this, Delhi police has rolled out five PCR vans with all-women staff. The all-women PCRs, each with three women personnel, will ply in five primary areas — Vigyan Bhawan, Jesus and Mary College, Khan Market Metro Station, American Centre at Kasturba Gandhi Marg, and Moti Lal Nehru Marg.

One of the women personnel will be the driver of the PCR van while another one will carry an MP5 gun. The women personnel have undergone a three-month training where they were taught driving, firing, and unarmed combat skills. The PCR vans have been directed to help women stranded at night and to drop them at the nearest safe place.

Another measure which might be a saviour is the Centre’s help desk for women. These help desks for women are presently in all the 182 police stations of the national capital.