Why Evidence Matters

Closing the data gap with evidence women trust


The data gap is real. National surveys miss violence outside the home. Estimates are a decade old. We are filling the gaps.

  • Incomplete national data - National surveys do not collect data on violence outside the home
  • Outdated estimates - Other survey estimates are a decade old
  • Widespread underreporting - Harassment is widely underreported due to stigma and barriers
  • Limited evidence base - Limited understanding of which solutions actually work

Key Research Findings

Key Research Findings

What 4,000 women in Delhi, Jaipur, and Bengaluru told us about their daily reality

95%

of women anxious about harassment when leaving home

2in 3

women in Delhi experienced harassment

70%

of harassment happens on roadsides

1%

of women report incidents to police

The Hidden Cost

Trade-offs Women Make for Safety

Safety has a price. Women pay it every day in time, money, and opportunity.

01

Education

Women choose colleges ranked 8.8% lower in quality to prioritize their physical safety over educational opportunity.


02

Time

Travel an extra 27 minutes every day - 40% more time commuting - to avoid harassment hotspots.


03

Money

Spend INR 17,500 more per year choosing safer routes - often unaffordable for many families.

At the Workplace

Workplace Harassment

53% face sexual comments at work. 68% never report. The silence is systemic.

53%

faced sexual comments, gestures, or jokes

70%+

felt uncomfortable due to a colleague

69%

chose not to make a formal complaint

8%

know helpline numbers to call

Expert Roundtables

Insights from the Field

What practitioners, researchers, and survivors are telling us

Online GBV

Anonymity fuels online violence. Tech companies must be part of the solution.

Private Sector Role

Employers can act: safe transport, buddy systems, strong policies. Private sector has a role.

Prevention Programs

Prevention is underfunded. Response alone will not end violence. We need long-term investment.

Legal Reform

Laws exist in silos. We need integrated frameworks that address violence comprehensively.

Mental Health

Trauma does not end with the incident. Mental health support for survivors, families, even perpetrators.

Infrastructure

Streets, buses, buildings. Urban design can prevent violence. We need gender-sensitive infrastructure.

Research & Publications

Resources

Research papers, policy briefs, survey data, workshop insights. The evidence base for change.

Workplace Harassment in India: Why 69% of Women Don’t Report

Sexual harassment in professional settings remains pervasive yet underreported. Our analysis reveals that 53% of women…

The Hidden Cost of Safety: How Fear of Harassment Shapes Women’s Choices

Fear of harassment forces women to make costly sacrifices daily. Our research reveals women choose colleges ranked 8.8%…

Aparajita at Jaipur Literature Festival 2025: Launching the Conversation on GBV

In February 2025, Aparajita and J-PAL South Asia brought the conversation about gender-based violence to one of India's…

Expert Roundtable 2023: Key Takeaways on Prevention, Justice, and Community Mobilization

In March 2023, Aparajita convened its first expert roundtable to explore solutions to gender-based violence. This post…

What Works: Three Evidence-Based Solutions That Are Making a Difference

While the problem of gender-based violence is vast, there are proven solutions. This post highlights three rigorously…

GBV Solve: Open Funding Call for Innovative Solutions to End Gender-Based Violence

Aparajita and J-PAL South Asia are launching an open funding call to identify and fund innovative ideas addressing…