Making Public Spaces Safer for Women: It's Time We All Took a Stand

Many women feel uncomfortable walking in public areas of their cities because of persistent stares, comments, or a general feeling of unease. As someone who has lived in a city for 25 years, I understand this deeply. The lack of safe transportation and proper sanitation makes it difficult for women to truly enjoy public spaces.

There’s also a common misconception that women only belong in public spaces when there’s a purpose—like going to work, running errands, or attending family events. These spaces are silently divided: what’s acceptable for men is often restricted or judged for women. While men can move freely without question, women’s presence is heavily monitored.

Barriers to Accessing Public Spaces Freely

Women and girls face numerous societal restrictions that limit their freedom to be in public spaces as they wish. They're often told:

Not to go out with male friends or colleagues
To dress a certain way to avoid “attention”
To avoid being out too late to prevent becoming victims of crime

These restrictions don’t create safety—they limit freedom. They directly affect women's education and personal development. Many girls are forced to drop out of school or college because of the harassment they face during their commute. Instead of working toward safer infrastructure, the response often focuses on controlling women’s movements—a method that silences potential and stalls dreams.

Even educational institutions impose strict curfews for women, while no such rules apply to male students. This promotes inequality and wrongly assumes that keeping women confined is the best way to protect them.

The Need for Better Transportation and Safer Public Spaces

A study in three Indian cities—Patna, Muzaffarnagar, and Gaya—found that:

Women travel less frequently than men
Women prefer walking over using public transport due to safety concerns
27% of women gave up opportunities due to transport issues, compared to 14% of men
75% of women reported street harassment
19% experienced harassment at bus stops

Another UN Women survey showed that 95% of women feel unsafe in public spaces.

Clearly, we need:

Safer, more frequent, and reliable public transport
More bus stops, better last-mile connectivity
More women in the transportation sector
Inclusion of women, nonbinary, and gender-diverse architects in urban planning
Strong monitoring and legal consequences for offenders

Recognizing the Problem Is the First Step Toward Change

In 2014, a New Year’s Eve incident in Bangalore brought the conversation of public safety for women to the forefront. This horrifying event led to multiple grassroots movements calling for safer cities.

Why Loiter: Claiming the Streets

The Why Loiter Street Campaign was one such initiative in Mumbai. It raises awareness about the dangers women face in public spaces and challenges curfews placed on women in colleges. Activist Neha Singh walks around the city at night, encouraging other women to reclaim the night and challenge the idea that women must be home after dark.

AintNoCinderella: Social Media Resistance

After Varnika Kundu was stalked and shamed for being out late at night, the #AintNoCinderella movement took off. Women across India shared nighttime selfies in solidarity, pushing back against the notion that they should stay indoors to stay safe.

A Shared Responsibility

When more women are visible in public spaces, it inspires others to step out too. Women deserve the freedom to loiter, relax, celebrate, and just be—without being questioned or judged.

Governments, urban planners, and communities must work together to create public spaces that are safe, inclusive, and welcoming for all genders. Only then can we truly say our public spaces belong to everyone.

References

This post represents the author’s personal views and experiences. iDare doesn’t endorse or take responsibility for the opinions expressed.

If you or someone you know is dealing with issues related to safety in public spaces, consider reaching out to our Support and Engage verticals for affordable and inclusive help.

Image Credits: Pexels.com