Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Women Students Highlight Harassment and Education Barriers at Pune Programme
Women students met Rahul Gandhi at a programme in Pune.
They explained that harassment and unsafe travel can make it harder for girls to study.
Suchitra Pagi shared that she was harassed when she was 13 and later while using public transport.
She said these experiences made her afraid, but also stressed that not all men behave badly.
Another student said some rural families hesitate to send daughters away for higher education because of safety worries.
Pradnya Gavande said some cyber-security courses cost about Rs 3 lakh, which many families cannot afford.
She asked for more courses in government colleges and scholarships.
The students also warned that artificial intelligence can be misused to create obscene images and extort women.
They urged people to support victims and help create safer travel and education opportunities.
Women students told Rahul Gandhi that harassment, safety concerns and financial constraints limit access to education.
Suchitra Pagi described harassment she experienced at age 13 while walking home and later on public transport.
Students said unsafe travel can discourage families from sending girls from rural areas elsewhere for higher education.
Pradnya Gavande said specialised cyber-security courses costing around Rs 3 lakh are unaffordable for many weaker-income families.
Students called for safer public transport, affordable education, scholarships and greater cyber-security awareness.
- Who
- Rahul Gandhi and women students, including Suchitra Pagi, Maitri and Pradnya Gavande.
- What
- Students raised concerns about harassment, unsafe public transport, financial barriers to specialised education and the misuse of artificial intelligence against women.
- When
- Saturday.
- Where
- The Chhatron ki Goonj programme in Pune; Suchitra Pagi is from Vasai in Palghar.
- Why
- The students said these problems restrict women's access to education, mobility and economic independence.
- Programme
- Chhatron ki Goonj
- Location
- Pune
- Student speaker
- Suchitra Pagi, an economics student from Vasai, described harassment at age 13 and later on public transport.
- Education barrier
- Families in rural areas may hesitate to send daughters elsewhere for higher education because of safety concerns.
- Course cost
- Pradnya Gavande said reputed colleges charge around Rs 3 lakh for specialised courses such as cyber security.
- Requested measures
- Students sought safer public transport, more cyber-security courses in government colleges and scholarships.
- Technology concern
- Students said artificial intelligence is being misused to create obscene images of women and extort money from them.
