Women Safety in India’s Aviation Industry

Source-This post on Women Safety in India’s Aviation Industry has been by merging the articles “Women-only airline seats won’t solve problem of male misbehaviour  and What’s wrong if women want to escape Mr Space Hog on a flight? Published in “The Indian Express” on 30 August 2024.

UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-2- Mechanisms, Laws, Institutions and Bodies constituted for the Protection and Betterment of these Vulnerable Sections.

Context– The article critically evaluates Indigo Airlines’ recent decision to introduce women-only seats, which allows female passengers to reserve seats next to other women.

Even with many women pilots, passenger safety especially for women remains a major concern. Reports of sexual harassment, like groping and unwanted touching, highlight the need for improved safety measures. Many incidents go unreported, creating a culture of silence around these assaults.

What are the arguments in support of Indigo Airlines’ “pink seats” initiative?

1)  Avoidance of Discomfort – The initiative lets women choose seats next to other women, reducing conflicts over armrests and space. This can make flights more comfortable for women by avoiding stress from sharing space with men who may be less considerate.

2) Space Management– Male passengers often take up more space, leading women to choose aisle seats to avoid feeling cramped. The “pink seats” option lets women select seats next to other women and reduce space issues.

3) Parallels with Existing Measures– Separating seats by gender in airlines is like ladies-only compartments on public transport. This approach could offer similar benefits in safety and comfort.

4) Customer Choice – The initiative allows women to choose between more leg space or sitting next to other women, giving them flexibility and improving their travel experience.

What are the arguments against Indigo Airlines’ “Pink Seats” initiative?

1) Does Not Address Safety Directly- It may not effectively address sexual safety issues, as gender-specific measures used in crowded public transport do not fit the more controlled environment of airplanes.

2) Gender-Based Stigmatization- The initiative might unintentionally create stigma. Women who sit next to men could be judged as more “broadminded,” while those who choose “pink seats” might face negative judgments.

3) Reinforcing Stereotypes -It could reinforce stereotypes that women need protection rather than empowerment.

4) Limited Impact on Comfort: – Choosing to sit next to other women may not solve broader comfort issues on flights, like men taking up too much personal space.

5) Additional Costs– The “pink seats” option might involve extra fees, which could make it less accessible and create differences in passenger experiences.

6) Potential for Misuse- Men may misuse the gender seat data, leading to unwanted interactions or comments. The feature may not effectively solve the problems it aims to address.

A detailed article on women safety can be read here.

What should be the way forward?

1) The branding and implementation of the initiative could be refined to better align with modern values of gender equality.

2) Indigo should focus on improving safety protocols and training for staff rather than asking women to isolate themselves.

Question for practice

Critically examine Indigo Airlines’ recent decision to introduce women-only seats?