Social Impact Group to Conduct Safety Audit in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram

Swift Summary

• Safetipin, a social impact institution, plans to conduct safety audits in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
• The audits focus on analyzing physical and social infrastructure parameters for urban safety and equity.
• A similar audit was conducted by Safetipin in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram around 2018-19. Data from those audits were positively utilized for improvements like street lighting and public transport.
• The organization has been engaging with local bodies continuously, including surveys during the planning of the Kochi water metro project to account for women’s perspectives.
• Key issues identified involve safe public transport hubs, access to public toilets for women, and accessibility of parks for girls and women. However, Kerala ranks high on infrastructure responsiveness compared to other states.
• safetipin has conducted safety audits in 35 Indian cities so far. It also offers a free personal safety app that provides area-specific safety scores based on crowd-sourced data.

Indian Opinion Analysis

Safetipin’s initiative underscores the growing importance of creating inclusive urban environments that address gender-based concerns. Identifying gaps like inadequate street lighting or accessible infrastructure highlights systemic issues affecting women’s mobility and safety across cities. Kerala’s proactive engagement in resolving these gaps reflects its relatively progressive approach toward municipal responsiveness.Expanding such efforts through collaboration between social organizations and local authorities could be important not just for Kochi or Thiruvananthapuram but as an example for broader implementation across India’s urban centers. Tools like Safetipin’s app demonstrate how technology can democratize access to information about safe spaces while empowering citizens themselves as contributors toward equitable urban progress.

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