According to research shared by Plan International during the EUKN Policy Lab for the Belgian Federal Public Planning Service for Social Integration, 91% of young women in Belgium have experienced sexual harassment in public spaces. This violence infringes on their right to the city and limits their ability to move around freely, safely, and comfortably. Raising awareness of these issues is crucial to make cities not only safer but also more equal.

‘Women Navigating the City’, the report on this EUKN Policy Lab, was published in December 2022. The main takeaways are:

• Concrete policy interventions are needed. Examples are rolling out active bystander training and adding request stops, and volunteer ambassadors to public transport routes.
• There is a need to increase public awareness to impact attitudes and change behaviour. At schools, early-age socialisation into patriarchal stereotypes can be challenged with critical thinking lessons and gender-neutral activities. Community education can reduce excessive tolerance of anti-social behaviour that perpetuates unequal power relationships and acceptance of male predominance in public spaces.
• To improve representation, accessibility and inclusivity, pro-women spatial design is needed. Planners should consider wider streets, better lighting and more female-friendly facilities. Adding gender-inclusive pedestrian lights and street names can also normalise and promote female presence in public.

The EUKN is proud to contribute to the knowledge-sharing and advocacy needed to make public space safe for all. Read the full report for a comprehensive overview of the Policy Lab.