Cities are often seen as spaces of opportunity, progress, and connectivity. But for millions of women, urban environments are riddled with barriers that limit their mobility, safety, and access to economic opportunities. Public transport that fails to prioritize women’s needs, poorly lit streets that create fear after dark, and a lack of essential infrastructure like public toilets and childcare facilities all contribute to an urban planning landscape that excludes half the population.

A 2022 World Bank study revealed alarming statistics: 88% of women in Delhi, 63% in Pune, and 50% in Chennai reported experiencing sexual harassment on public transport.

Another study across 140 Indian cities found that 52% of women had turned down education and job opportunities due to safety concerns while accessing public spaces. These figures highlight the stark reality—urban planning continues to neglect women’s needs, reinforcing gender inequality in mobility and economic participation.

Studies indicate that women make up less than 30% of urban planners globally, and their underrepresentation often results in city designs that do not fully consider women’s unique mobility patterns and safety concerns.”

How Women Experience Cities Differently

• Travel Patterns & Accessibility: Most transport systems are designed for the typical 9-to-5 commuter, but women’s travel patterns are often multidirectional and fragmented—involving work, childcare, and errands throughout the day. A lack of well-connected, safe, and flexible transport options makes their mobility more challenging.

• Unsafe Public Transport: Inadequate security, overcrowding, and poorly lit bus stops force many women to avoid public transport altogether, limiting their access to education and employment. A Safetipin study in Delhi found that 90% of women felt unsafe at bus stops due to the absence of lighting and security personnel.

• Poorly Lit & Isolated Spaces: Streets, parks, and public areas that lack lighting or security become no-go zones after dark, restricting women’s freedom of movement. A 2019 Thomas Reuters Foundation report ranked Delhi and São Paulo among the most dangerous megacities for women in public transport.

• Lack of Public Toilets & Amenities: In Mumbai, studies show there is only one public toilet for every 3,500 women, while men have far greater access. Without clean and accessible facilities, women—especially those in informal employment—face mobility constraints.

• Workplace Accessibility: Many cities zone commercial hubs far from residential areas, making it harder for women—especially caregivers—to access jobs. With 84% of working women depending on public transport, poor connectivity excludes them from economic participation.

Making Cities Safer & More Inclusive for Women

A city’s design can either empower women or exclude them. The key to creating safer, more inclusive spaces lies in gender-responsive urban planning that prioritizes:

✅ Better street lighting & pedestrian pathways
✅ More gender-sensitive public transport with safe waiting areas
✅ Mixed-use development to ensure vibrant, populated streets
✅ More public toilets & caregiving infrastructure (childcare, lactation rooms, etc.)
✅ Stronger enforcement against harassment in public spaces

While many cities continue to neglect these needs, others have taken significant steps to redefine urban planning through a gender-inclusive lens.

When will cities stop treating women as an afterthought? It’s time for urban planning to serve all citizens, not just half.

Read my next article on how cities like Vienna, Barcelona, Bogotá, and Tokyo have successfully transformed their public spaces to prioritize women’s safety, accessibility, and economic participation—and what Indian cities can learn from them.