The number of women working in business process outsourcing companies in Gujarat is a lot more than that is the metro cities. This is attributed to the fact that the state is considered to be a lot safer for women.

N D Panchal, senior manager (services) and company secretary, Gujarat Informatics Ltd, said: "One of the reasons for the phenomenal jump in the BPO industry in Gujarat is that the state has an image of providing a safe working environment. With BPO companies recruiting more women, they prefer safer cities." Gujarat has added 20 new BPO companies in the last one year.

The BPO centres have a lot of night shifts as most of these cater to clients in the US. Day time in the US means night here. Most companies prefer to employ women to handle their BPO activities as clients prefer to speak to women as they can understand the problems of clients better.

Anupam Saxena, general manager (marketing), Infocity, said: "At Infocity, there are many young women who come on their own vehicles for night shifts. This shows that Gujarat is a lot safer compared with the metro cities. Several BPO companies have armed guards in pick-up and drop-home vehicles that escort women. This shows how unsafe the metros are, specially for women. Some companies also use wireless radios to keep in touch with employees at night."

Darshak Mehta, general manager of Motif India Infotech Pvt Ltd, said: "Gujarat is much safer for women as it is a dry (alcohol is banned) state. The crime rate is a lot lower than other states and the working environment is hassle free."

People in the industry believe Gujarat could have well over 10,000 seats operational by the end of this financial year, of which 60 per cent will be women employees.

"Many organisations in Delhi take special care to create a safe environment for their women employees. In fact, companies take the trouble of reassuring parents and guardians of women working at BPO centres. Parents of women employees are invited to check out the working environment at the centres. In Gujarat, there are no such such hassles and women are working freely at night," said Saxena.