Reclaiming Public Spaces: From Fear to Freedom

Why in the News?

On International Women’s Day 2025, the focus is on women’s access to public spaces, highlighting safety concerns, gendered mobility restrictions, and policy solutions to create inclusive urban environments where women can navigate freely without fear.

Reclaiming Public Spaces: From Fear to Freedom

Challenges Faced by Women in Public Spaces:

  • India ranks 128th among 177 countries in the Women, Peace, and Security Index 2023, highlighting safety concerns.
  • Deep-rooted patriarchy restricts women’s mobility, limiting their presence in public spaces.
  • Gendered spatial control confines women to domestic spaces, with only 54% having the freedom to visit markets alone (NFHS-4).
  • Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for women is 35.6% (PLFS 2023-24), showing that many remain outside the workforce.
  • Women primarily use public spaces for commuting rather than leisure, reinforcing restrictions on their movement.

Need to Reclaim Public Spaces

  • A truly inclusive space allows women to navigate freely without fear or urgency.
  • Women mostly visit curated spaces like malls and cafes, avoiding streets and bus stations.
  • Street amusement for women is rare, unlike men who move without restrictions.
  • Fear of violence should not limit women’s access to public spaces; reclaiming them fosters autonomy.
  • Community support and societal mindset shifts are essential to normalizing women’s use of public spaces for leisure.

Policy-Level Interventions

  • Better urban planning: Improved street lighting, safe public toilets, benches, and recreational areas.
  • Stronger laws and enforcement against gender-based violence to ensure accountability.
  • Shifting blame from victims to perpetrators to break patriarchal control.
  • Encouraging open discussions and cultural change to normalize women’s unrestricted presence in public spaces.
  • Transforming public spaces can create a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment for women.