What's Happening?
Steph Barney, co-founder of Girls on the Go, a women's wellness club, has highlighted the impact of dark winter nights on women's safety and social activities. The club, which organizes events in Manchester
and Liverpool, has seen a significant drop in attendance during winter months due to members' fears of traveling in the dark. Barney notes that many women feel unsafe after 4pm, leading to an 'unspoken curfew.' The club attempts to mitigate these concerns by scheduling events earlier and choosing locations near public transport. Antonia Stack, founder of Reclaim Blackpool, echoes these sentiments, emphasizing the normalization of harassment and the exhaustive safety measures women undertake. The WalkSafe app, founded by Emma Kay, aims to enhance personal safety by allowing users to share their routes and alert family if they fail to arrive safely.
Why It's Important?
The issue of women's safety during dark winter nights underscores broader societal challenges regarding gender-based harassment and the need for systemic change. The reluctance of women to engage in evening activities impacts social dynamics and economic participation, as women may avoid events or spend more on transportation to ensure safety. This situation highlights the need for increased awareness and proactive measures from businesses and communities to create safer environments. The WalkSafe app's popularity reflects a demand for technological solutions to address safety concerns, but it also points to the need for cultural shifts in behavior and accountability.
