The Supreme Court on Tuesday voiced serious concern over the safety of women in India, emphasizing the urgent need for a shift in societal mindset towards women.

Calling for collective efforts to make the country a safer and more empowering place for girls and women, a bench comprising Justices BV Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma observed, “Just leave women alone. That’s our only request—let them be. They don’t need constant surveillance or restrictions. Give them the freedom to grow. That’s what the women of this country truly seek.”

The bench noted that it has come across real-life instances where women faced sexual assault while going out in the open to defecate. Highlighting the grim reality in many rural areas, the court remarked that due to the lack of proper toilet facilities, women are often forced to wait until dusk to relieve themselves, exposing them to significant risks.

"In the village, there may be some development due to Swaccha Bharat Abhiyan, but still there are no bathrooms and toilets (in many places). Women who have to ease themselves have to wait till dusk. Young women also have to wait till dusk to ease out because they can't go during the day in open... We have seen the cases...," said Justice Nagarathna.

The bench pointed out the dual risks faced by women due to the lack of sanitation facilities. Firstly, being unable to relieve themselves throughout the day takes a toll on their health. Secondly, when they are compelled to go out at dusk, they become vulnerable to the threat of sexual assault while on their way or returning. Emphasizing the seriousness of the issue, the Supreme Court underscored the urgent need for a comprehensive and multi-pronged sensitisation campaign to ensure the safety and dignity of women.

"Whether in cities or rural areas, the vulnerability of women is something men will never understand. The feeling a woman experiences the moment she steps onto a street, a bus, or a railway station with the constant burden of ensuring her own safety, is an additional mental load she carries alongside her responsibilities at home, at work, and in society. Every citizen must be safe but this is the additional burden woman has to carry," said Justice Nagarathna.

"They should not think women are there for receiving sexual assault threat... mindset has to change. In the cities and rural areas, threat is everywhere," it said.

The Central government informed the Supreme Court that while the National Education Policy (NEP) was already in place, the detailed syllabus and educational modules on moral education and gender sensitisation were still under preparation.

In response, the bench observed that the academic year had already commenced and stressed that such matters could not be delayed indefinitely. The Court granted the Centre three weeks to submit a comprehensive affidavit detailing the existing modules and outlining the proposed measures. The matter is scheduled for the next hearing on May 6.

The Supreme Court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Aabad Harshad Ponda, raising concerns about gender-based violence—particularly incidents of sexual assault and rape—and advocating for value-based education and public awareness initiatives to address the issue.

During the proceedings, Ponda argued that education alone would not be sufficient, as many perpetrators of such crimes either do not attend school or are beyond the age of formal education. Justice BV Nagarathna urged the Centre to also explore sensitisation strategies targeting individuals outside the formal education system.

The PIL highlighted the alarming rise in crimes against women, especially rapes, and called for increased awareness about the legal consequences under the penal code and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. It further emphasized the importance of incorporating moral education to promote awareness of gender equality, women's rights, and the fundamental right to live with dignity.

Additionally, the petition sought directions for the Central government to instruct local authorities and state officials to launch public sensitisation campaigns—through advertisements, seminars, pamphlets, and other outreach methods—about laws concerning rape and other crimes against women and children.