'Women only' seats on planes are becoming a reality

Women experience sexual harassment in a number of places: work, the street, online and now planes according to one airline.

After reports of two women being groped by male travellers in the past couple of weeks, Air India has decided to launch ‘women only’ seats. From 18 January, six economy class seats will be sold only to female travellers.

“We feel, as national carriers, it is our responsibility to enhance comfort level to female passengers. There are a lot of female passengers who travel alone with us and we will be blocking a few seats for them,” Air India’s general manager Meenakshi Mali commented.

While the airline has been praised for its ‘forward-thinking’ decision by some, others aren’t so sure of the benefits of segregating genders. After all, six seats aren’t going to solve the sexual harassment issue that is clearly at hand.

One official believes that flights are not unsafe for women and told the airline in no uncertain terms to prioritise other issues. In introducing this new seating plan, Air India has become the first airline to take drastic measures against harassment.

However, the company is following in the footsteps of several transport means in India. Buses and trains in the country already offer female-only seats and coaches for solo female passengers who feel uncomfortable travelling with men.

Some men have been complaining on social media that this move is a step back for gender equality. Women are agreeing too, stating that the first step to stopping harassment is teaching potential perpetrators the consequences of their actions, not secluding vulnerable women from the rest of the herd.

What do you think of Air India’s decision? Tweet us at @YahooStyleUK.

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