UK’s ‘rape’ advisory is what all Indian women should follow

There’s a huge hue and cry against the United Kingdom’s advisory regarding travel to India in the wake of rapes.

What, exactly, does the advisory say? “Women should use caution when travelling in India. Reported cases of sexual assault against women and young girls are increasing; recent sexual attacks against female visitors in tourist areas and cities show that foreign women are also at risk. British women have been the victims of sexual assault in Goa, Delhi, Bangalore and Rajasthan and women travellers often receive unwanted attention in the form of verbal and physical harassment by individuals or groups of men. A Swiss national suffered a serious sexual attack in Madyha Pradesh on 16 March. Women travellers should exercise caution when travelling in India even if they are travelling in a group.”

What’s wrong with that? What is there in the statement that anyone could object to? This is the advice any Indian father, husband, boyfriend or brother might give his daughter, wife, girlfriend or sister. The advisory says:

a) Women should use caution when travelling (even in a group)

b) Women travelers often receive unwanted attention in the form of verbal and physical harassment

“If you are a woman travelling in India you should respect local dress codes and customs and avoid isolated areas, including beaches, when alone at any time of day,” the advisory goes on. Simple, sensible advice.

“Avoid travelling alone on public transport, or in taxis or auto-rickshaws, especially at night. If you have to use a taxi get them from hotel taxi ranks and use pre-paid taxis at airports. Try to avoid hailing taxis on the street,” the advisory says. Don’t we say the same to womenfolk we know? Indian women?

So that the advisory is understood in context, the website underlines how relatively safe India is. “Around 700,000 British nationals visit India every year (source: Indian Immigration Authorities). Between 1 April 2011 and 31 March 2012, 322 British nationals needed consular assistance including for the following types of incident: 107 deaths, 67 hospitalisations and 39 arrests for various offences.”

In their general comments and advice on India, there is absolutely no mention of India being unsafe  and there is no general advice on avoiding travel to India.

Overall, the advice is practical and sensible. Maybe all Indians should get some print-outs and hand them to women we know. After all, one woman (one Indian woman) is raped every 20 minutes in our country .