Women bouncers have not just broken the conventional norm in the country but they are also fastly growing in numbers owing to the higher demand of their services from concerned parents, cautious event managers, and pub and restaurant owners.
According to an estimate, the number of women bouncers has witnessed a significant growth in last one and half years. They have grown to 5000 in a very short time.
Unlike other professions, where gender bias is endemic to the disadvantage of women, in this job, Women bouncers earn more than their male counterpart. Male bouncers get Rs 800-1,200 per shift whereas the female bouncers wage range from Rs 1,500-2,000 per shift along with conveyance. Their shifts ranges from four to eight hours and women make around Rs 20,000-35,000 a month.
In hospitality sector, services of women bouncers are sought because half of their clientele includes women and they feel secure in the company of a woman bouncer. They are often referred to as "guest security associates" by hotel management. They diffuse the tension faster and moreover keep a tab for any drug abuse in women's washrooms.
Last year, we had 16 female bouncers out of a total team of 80, while now there are 36 women among a total of 87 bouncers, said Karan Singh Rawat, manager operations from Delhi-based Shadow Securities.
Over the years, it has been witnessed that drunk women also create ruckus during New Year parties. “Women bouncers can quickly whisk away such party poopers,” said a representative running the bouncer agency.
Many bouncers prefer working independently for different security firms. 38 year old Mithilesh Kumari has travelled to Haridwar, Dehradun, Manali and Mumbai to work at events and festivals.
They are often told to handle male customers too and they sober down much faster when they spot a lady bouncer. Initially we get shocked looks but soon they realise that we will not give in to any pressure and work just like our male colleagues," said Kumari, who lives in Delhi and works as a bouncer 10-15 times a month.
