A Participatory Approach to Women's Safety: Case of Pune India

Abstract

Crime and fear of crime affect many aspects of everyday life in our cities. Without question, ample reasons justify people's deep-felt concerns about crime where women are found more vulnerable. This paper analyses women’s geography of fear in public open spaces which is a feeling of “fear” and “insecurity” derived from a feeling of to be under the threat. This fear of crime has a considerable impact of the daily lives of urban dwellers directly or indirectly by causing urban open spaces such as public parks, squares, plazas, streets not to be used frequently. It has been found that elders and women are more exposed to fear of crime in cities. Consequently, women have to prefer to stay closed and safeguarded places and to avoid urban spaces, streets, parks, plazas, public transportation vehicles and areas. After dark they feel insecure while walking on the streets. Often they restrict the right to freedom of movement of their children particularly girls in the city. This phenomenon largely restrains the involvements of women in public life of the city. Discussing the reasons for fear of crime in public open spaces, this paper is aimed to discuss the women’s safety issues in public realm. It examines the reasons and degrees of fear of crime using a participatory approach with city of Pune as a case. Various theories discussed which shape women’s geography of fear and safety audit of public spaces conducted to find out women’s safety aspects in selected study area. The analysis endeavors to identify architectural planning parameters which affect perception of safety in Indian cities in order to find out problems and take necessary measures to render public spaces safe for women.