Challenges and Opportunities for Women in Public Spaces

India is often perceived as one of the most unsafe countries for women, a notion backed by its ranking of 128 out of 177 countries in the Women, Peace and Security Index 2023. Addressing this requires confronting everyday barriers women face, particularly regarding the accessibility of public spaces.

The Significance of Public Spaces

• Public spaces are crucial for socio-economic interactions, community identity formation, and political engagement.
• A key indicator of a place’s safety is the visible presence of women enjoying themselves without restriction.

Current Landscape and Statistics

• NFHS-4 (2015-16) data highlights gendered spatial control: 
  • 54% of women can visit markets alone.
  • 50% can access healthcare facilities independently.
  • 48% can travel outside their community unaccompanied.
• The Periodic Labour Force Survey (2023-24) indicates a female Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) of 35.6%, highlighting that more than half of the female population remains out of the workforce.

Barriers to Free Movement

• Women often use public spaces as transitional zones, primarily for commuting, not leisure.
• The design of public spaces often prevents women from navigating them freely, fostering a sense of discomfort and vulnerability.
• Violence against women is not only a public space issue but also prevalent within homes, which are perceived as safer.

Societal and Governmental Roles

• Society should normalize women’s presence and leisure activities in public spaces to foster autonomy.
• Government interventions are crucial for safe public spaces: 
  • Improving street lighting and public toilets.
  • Installing street furniture and creating recreational areas tailored for women.
  • Strengthening laws against public space violence with effective enforcement.
• Low conviction rates for gender-based violence must be addressed to prevent impunity and shift safety burdens from victims to perpetrators.

By reimagining public spaces and societal attitudes, India can work towards an inclusive society where women can freely navigate and claim public spaces. While dismantling patriarchal norms is complex, change begins with everyday actions, driving us closer to a society without fear or restriction for women.