Public spaces should be safe for women, they should be places of freedom, opportunity, and community for all. However, for many women, these environments, whether streets, parks, or public transport, are overshadowed by the permanent threat of harassment and violence. This widespread problem significantly restricts women’s freedom of movement. Addressing it requires a comprehensive approach, encompassing urban planning, legislative reform, major cultural shifts, and technological innovation.
The global reality of women’s safety in public spaces
The global reality of women’s safety in public spaces is very concerning. A 2013 UN Women study found that 95% of women and girls in Delhi felt unsafe navigating public areas. In Australia, nearly 90% of women report having experienced verbal or physical street harassment, an in the UK, research shows that over 70% of women have faced sexual harassment in public, illustrating that this issue transcends cultural and geographical boundaries. These statistics highlight a global problem with extensive social and economic consequences. Women frequently have to control and change their behaviour, avoiding certain routes, staying away from poorly lit areas, or limiting travel at night, just to protect themselves, thereby compromising their independence and limiting their participation in public life.
The impact of these restrictions goes beyond personal inconvenience. When women feel unsafe, their access to education, employment, and even leisure can often be undermined. This loss of opportunity does not just affect individuals, it actually weakens the social and economic foundation of entire communities. We all, including policymakers, urban planners, and community leaders must recognise that improving public safety is not merely a matter of law enforcement; it is a fundamental step towards equality and simple fairness.
Professor Rachel Pain, an expert in gender and urban safety, aptly states: “Women’s safety is not just about reducing crime statistics; it’s about creating environments where women feel they belong—where they don’t have to plan their journeys around fear, and where their right to public space is as unquestioned as anyone else’s.” Her words capture the essence of what safe public spaces should represent.
The University of Leeds published research on 08 December 2022. A few examples highlighted in their research and other studies show what features make, for example, parks feel (un)safe:
- lighting – poorly lit areas discourage visits, particularly after dark
- visibility – dense foliage, secluded pathways, and hidden corners make parks feel less safe
- maintenance – signs of neglect, like litter or vandalism and poor-quality paths make spaces feel less welcoming
- presence of others – well-used parks feel safer and the absence of people including families and women make spaces feel less inclusive and welcoming, while the presence of women is perceived as a sign of a safety
- threats – threats of bullying, sexual harassment, and inappropriate behaviour
The Role of Urban Planning When Creating Safe Public Spaces for Women
Urban design plays a pivotal role in creating safer public spaces. Thoughtful planning can transform areas long associated with risk into welcoming environments. Research by the Gehl Institute demonstrates that well-lit streets, clear sightlines, and active public spaces help reduce harassment and crime. When cities prioritise safety in their design, they naturally discourage behaviours that endanger women.
Umeå in Sweden is a great example of how urban spaces can be reimagined. Through improved lighting, increased visibility, and women-friendly public transport systems, the city has become a benchmark for safety-focused planning. Initiatives like these provide tangible evidence that proactive design measures can create much safer public spaces for women.
Additional Measures to Make Spaces Safer For Women
- Urban Design Planning
- Well-placed emergency call points: Install easily accessible panic buttons or emergency call stations in public areas, including parks, streets, and transit stops.
- Open public spaces: Design parks, market squares, and recreational areas with multiple exits, transparent fencing, and open sightlines to prevent entrapment.
- ‘Eyes on the street’ approach: Encourage the creation of open spaces where businesses, cafes, and residential buildings face public spaces, increasing natural surveillance.
- Safe Transport Enhancements
- Safe waiting areas: Design bus and train stations with enclosed, monitored waiting areas, particularly at night.
- Women-only ride options: Expand women-only taxis, ride-sharing services, and carriages in public transport.
- Improved CCTV coverage: Ensure well-monitored and strategically placed surveillance cameras in high-risk areas.
- Community & Social Interventions
- Bystander intervention programs: Train communities to recognise and safely intervene in harassment or dangerous situations.
- Community-driven safety audits: Engage women and local groups to assess the safety of public spaces and implement recommendations.
- ‘Safe Haven’ initiatives: Encourage businesses, cafes, and public buildings to serve as designated safe spaces for women seeking refuge from harassment.
- Technology & Digital Safety Measures
- Support the development of safety apps & reporting tools: Further advance technology of location-based apps for real-time safety alerts, safe route suggestions, and emergency contact activation.
- Digital public awareness campaigns: Utilise social media, digital signage, and public campaigns to educate the public on safety issues and promote respectful behaviour.
- Public Wi-Fi with security alerts: Provide free Wi-Fi in public spaces with integrated safety notifications and direct access to emergency services.
- Policing & Legal Support
- Increased foot patrols and security presence in vulnerable areas: Deploy trained officers (law enforcement or private security) in public spaces prone to harassment or crime.
- Strict enforcement of anti-harassment laws: Strengthen legal measures against street harassment and create accessible and easy ways for women to report incidents.
- Rapid response teams: Establish dedicated law enforcement or civilian safety teams that can respond quickly to reported threats in public spaces.
Harnessing Technology for Safety
Innovative technology is also proving to be a valuable tool in enhancing safety. Apps such as Safetipin allow users to rate and review areas based on safety, providing real-time data that informs both personal decisions and municipal planning. This tech-driven approach empowers individuals while giving authorities critical insights into areas requiring urgent attention. AI-driven surveillance systems and predictive analytics are also being explored to prevent harassment before it occurs. However, it is essential that such advancements are implemented with respect for privacy and without introducing new risks.
Strengthening Legal Protections
Legal frameworks play a crucial role in deterring harassment and supporting victims. France has introduced on-the-spot fines for street harassment, a proactive measure against abusive behaviour. Let me refer you to the article “Rape, assault, harassment: What do the numbers show about violence against women in France?” published by Le Monde.
Likewise, the UK’s recent move to criminalise public sexual harassment is a vital step towards holding perpetrators accountable. However, laws alone are not enough, they must be enforced effectively. Many women hesitate to report incidents, fearing their concerns will not be taken seriously, they might not be believed, or that they may face repercussions. Addressing this requires police forces to receive specialised training, ensuring they handle harassment cases with the sensitivity and urgency they demand.
Dr Fiona Vera-Gray, a leading authority on gender-based violence, reinforces this point: “The burden of avoiding harassment should not fall on women. Instead, we should focus on creating environments where perpetrators know their actions will have consequences.” This shift in perspective is crucial! Expecting women to adapt their behaviour is simply not right or appropriate. We must focus on preventing harassment and ensuring accountability.
Where do we go from here?
As cities grow and evolve, how we design and manage public spaces will profoundly impact everyone’s quality of life. Ensuring women’s safety in public spaces is a complex but urgent challenge, one that demands action from policymakers, urban planners, law enforcement, technologists, and society as a whole. It requires courage, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to justice and equality. It is the right thing to do.
As experts like Professor Rachel Pain and Dr Fiona Vera-Gray emphasise, creating safe public spaces is not merely about reducing harassment, it is about ensuring that women can live, work, and move freely in environments that respect their rights and dignity.
By integrating urban planning, legal protections, technological advancements, and cultural shifts, we can work towards a future where public spaces truly serve as places of freedom and opportunity for all.
For further personal safety tip for women and recommendations on what we all can do to further improve the safety and security of women, please allow me to recommend NEVER A VICTIM, a 530-page, 115,000+ words, thought-provoking, survivor-led, and trauma-informed resource, providing clear, comprehensive answers to some of the most serious and complex questions women have about their personal safety.
Alternatively, please view and subscribe to my Women’s Safety YouTube channel.
