India's 'ladies only' train service

India's 'ladies only' train service

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Violence against women in India has shot up the country’s political agenda after the Dec. 16 gang rape of a student in New Delhi who died of her injuries, and whose case led to widespread protests and promises of action from the government.

Even before the topic became so widely discussed, one small measure was introduced in India with the aim of promoting women’s safety: women-only train travel.

. MUMBAI, India. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

For a long time, trains like this one in Mumbai have had some carriages reserved for women in an attempt to protect them from harassment, although men have been known to enter. Going one step further, in 2009 the country introduced eight trains that men are not supposed to ride at all. These women-only services are known as 'Ladies Specials'.

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A picture of a woman marks the entrance to a female carriage in a suburban train in Mumbai.
. MUMBAI, India. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

A picture of a woman marks the entrance to a female carriage in a suburban train in Mumbai.

A male vendor sells food inside a train service reserved for female passengers.
. MUMBAI, India. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

A male vendor sells food inside a train service reserved for female passengers.

Women-only trains like this are called ‘Ladies Specials’.
. MUMBAI, India. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

Women-only trains like this are called ‘Ladies Specials’.

There are two women-only trains in Mumbai every day except Sunday.
. MUMBAI, India. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

There are two women-only trains in Mumbai every day except Sunday.

A woman speaks on the phone as she stands by the doorway of a 'Ladies Special'.
. MUMBAI, India. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

A woman speaks on the phone as she stands by the doorway of a 'Ladies Special'.

A female police officer stands inside one of the women-only trains.
. MUMBAI, India. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

A female police officer stands inside one of the women-only trains.

Women sit in a carriage of a 'Ladies Special' as they wait to leave Church Gate Railway Station in Mumbai.
. MUMBAI, India. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

Women sit in a carriage of a 'Ladies Special' as they wait to leave Church Gate Railway Station in Mumbai.

Women travel in a 'Ladies Special'.
. MUMBAI, India. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

Women travel in a 'Ladies Special'.

Two passengers stand in the doorway of a women's train as they wait for it to depart.
. MUMBAI, India. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

Two passengers stand in the doorway of a women's train as they wait for it to depart.