Safety of Women at Tourist Destinations: Measures and Initiatives

The Government of India has made women’s safety at tourist destinations a priority, recognizing that secure environments are essential for both domestic and foreign visitors.

National-Level Measures
- Tourist Police Units:
States/UTs such as Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, and Uttar Pradesh have deployed dedicated tourist police to strengthen on-ground safety.

- 24x7 Multi-Lingual Tourist Helpline:
Toll-free number 1800-111-363 (short code 1363) available in 12 languages (including German, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, Hindi, and English). Provides guidance and emergency support to women tourists.

- Nirbhaya Fund:
A dedicated non-lapsable corpus fund administered by the Ministry of Finance, used for projects specifically designed to improve women’s safety. States are encouraged to utilize this fund for initiatives under the Safe Tourism Destinations for Women program.

- Code of Conduct for Safe & Honourable Tourism:
Adopted by the Ministry of Tourism and all stakeholders to ensure dignity, safety, and freedom from exploitation for tourists and local residents, especially women and children.

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Initiatives
- Women Help Desks (WHDs):
Financial assistance provided to all States/UTs to set up WHDs in police stations. Out of 16,469 targeted stations, 14,658 WHDs have been established, with 13,743 headed by women police officials.

- Police Advisories:
MHA issues advisories to States/UTs on preventing crimes against women, including FIR registration, night patrolling, sensitization of police personnel, and training in handling women’s complaints.

Why It Matters
- Builds confidence among women travelers, both domestic and international.
- Enhances India’s image as a safe and welcoming destination.
- Encourages inclusive tourism growth, ensuring women can explore cultural and heritage sites without fear.