Nearly 92 per cent of working women in all major cities across India feel insecure, as one woman becomes victim of rape every 40 minutes in the country, a new study by ASSOCHAM Social Development Foundation (ASDF) has revealed.

The study covered women working in a number of key sectors like BPO/ITeS, hospitals, hospitality and civil aviation.

Around 56 per cent of women working in medium sector are apprehensive about their security, especially at night, while nearly 36 per cent women working in large-scale firms also feels the same fear of security lapses.

The study also revealed the dreadful fact that molestation takes place once every 25 minutes on the streets of major cities across the country.

Women in the Delhi-NCR feel insecure even in public spaces, even in the day. High levels of sexual harassment take place in public transport, buses and roadsides. A majority of women said buses were the most unsafe form of transport. The Metro system has also become equally crowded and insecure for women.

Passing lewd comments, staring, leering, touching, groping and leaning over were found to be the most common kinds of harassment.

The survey followed the brutal gang-rape of a young woman in a moving bus in Delhi. Experts suggest that any crime against women should be a non-bailable offence, and severe punishment should be given to offenders in fast-track courts.