Planning for supportive physical environment for working women: a case study of IT-BPO, Pune

Abstract

An increasing number of women participation in IT-BPO sector has been observed across the country, according to the study conducted by NASSCOM. But meanwhile, a study by WHO, NCRB-social-government organization shows that 35% of the women face a lot of unethical physical harassment while the commute to work such as at bus stands, footpaths, dimly lit railway station etc. Women have an unattended struggle just to move in a public space. Hence, formulating strategies which understand the distinct needs of women in and around the built environment is important. According to NASSCOM, IT-BPO sector in India has an increasing number of women employees every year. Presently 60% of the total employees are women. Therefore, a large group of society has been at risk and has been facing insecurities in night hours. This study intends to work towards this group of working women vulnerable to crime, for improving safety and accessibility to the workplace. Taking a case-study of Pune an example for the preparation of framework which can be replicated in similar scenarios for planning a supportive physical environment for working women. The women in IT –BPO sector has to work in shift, which includes working at night hours and few of them commuting to work place in odd hours, during this time the safety of these women is very important, so as to encourage them to work and to give the basic right of movement in the city throughout the day-night, planning a supportive environment for working women in IT-BPO sector is essential. As Pune is rapidly growing as an IT-city, where there are 3.1 lakh women employees. And tremendously increasing crime from last 2 yrs. has led to the major focus of the study to improve safety and accessibility of women while commuting to the workplace. In this purview, the IT-BPO sector in Hinjewadi and Shivaji Nagar Pune has been selected as a study area. This study broadly maps exclusions and negotiations that women encounter, through safety audits and condition assessment while commute to their workplace. This thesis evaluates the study areas in the present condition on the identified parameters. And in accordance with the results, it intends to prepare a strategic framework addressing these planning issues on the identified parameters at a local level, which in turn act as a supportive physical environment for working women of IT-BPO, Sector.