Safe City Project addresses Women's Sexual Harassment in Public Places

By: WE Staff | Wednesday, 7 February 2024

U.N. Women is collaborating with Kerala to support the Safe City project and establish a gender data hub. The initiative aims to create safer urban spaces for women and girls by addressing sexual harassment and violence in public areas.

U.N. Women will offer expertise and guidance to improve the Safe City project's execution. This covers methods for preventing and handling sexual harassment in public areas. Working closely with the State's gender parks, which provide forums for advancing women's empowerment and gender equality, acts as a key component of the partnership. The U.N. Women's delegation suggested that the State will look into issues about online spaces and treat them as public spaces. In order to address digital safety and ensure women's well-being, this recognition is essential.

Participants in the discussion included Susan Ferguson, the United Nations Women representative for India; Laura Capobianco, the global adviser for the UN Women Safe City Initiative; Poulomi Pal, the program specialist; and Peeja Rajan, the UN Women India State Technical Consultant. Veena George, the minister of health, was also present along with other delegates.

Ensuring the well-being of women and girls and promoting gender equality depends on the establishment of safe and empowering public spaces. The commitment of U.N. Women to this cause is consistent with their worldwide program, Safe Cities and Safe Public Spaces for Women and Girls. This initiative, partnering with governments, women's groups, and community actors, aims to prevent and respond to sexual harassment in public spaces globally.