Daily Times

The urban scientist, Jane Jacobs, in her book The Death and Life of Great American Cities analyses cities that are not similar to a suburb. They are denser. She argues that cities are full of strangers, and therefore to make cities safe, a city’s street should have a clear identification of public places and an eye on the road and street. Constant ‘eyes on the street’ are necessary to reduce conflict and crime, which would eventually also create safety for females.

Roads and highways must have an easy access to and from a location. Good lighting at public places, clear way-out, well-maintained sight lines and signboards, giving priority to pedestrians, and amenities for exercising, eating and playing for varied groups of users at diverse times increase safety in general, and for women. Public places that are not sustained and fully maintained make females feel insecure.

Rapid urbanisation and growing percentage of families necessitate women to travel for work and leave home in search of livelihood. Thynell states that working women devote significant time to their working day in public places, particularly in public transport and markets. Gender inclusive public transport facilities for residents of cities can play a central role in ensuring a good quality of life. Cities and urban areas are considered as the hub of ideas, economic engine, modern civic amenities and opportunities for both genders, but a significant proportion of urban women say that representation of women needed in contemporary planning is still indefinite.

Transport infrastructure or road infrastructure has a vast influence on women’s safety. Well-lit parking lots and sidewalks are considered a significant feature for ensuring women’s safety. Also important is the accommodation facility of strollers on sidewalks, crosswalks and parking spaces for women carrying children so that they may be able to walk together. Clear signboards as well as sight lines to streets must be available. Public places like railway stations, platforms, bus terminals and cab stations must be safe for women.

Women have a risk of harassment in public places like parks, streets, and city squares. Bad urban planning policies, organisation and choices of civic services increase risk. Lack of confidence and anxiety affect women’s usage of public parks, markets and public transit system. Women mobility patterns are affected. Development of public toilets in cities is considered a serious urban planning concern. Sustainable, responsive and inclusive cities provide all kinds of civic facilities for their dwellers.

The 18th Amendment in the Constitutionplays a vital role in this regard as it empowers provinces to formulate policies, laws and rules for women rights and grant funds to regions for women’s empowerment.(Section)25(1) of Constitution grants everyone equal rights before the law. Section 25(2) outlines the ‘Constitution outlaws gender discrimination’. Section25(3) authorises the state to make special laws and rules for problems faced by women and children. Section 34 outlines ‘safeguards [for] women rights to contribute in all spheres of national life’.

A well-thought national level legal framework exists in Pakistan for protection and safety of women. These are:Regulations and Acts for Women Safety in Pakistan;Prevention of Anti-Women Practices Act, 2011; Criminal Law (Amendment) (Offence of Rape) Act 2016;Criminal Law (Amendment) (Offences in the name or pretext of Honour) Act, 2016;Prevention of Anti-Women Practices Act, 2011;and Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016.

An investigation of conventional practices poses challenges for urban planners and is worthy of attention

The Prevention of Anti-Women Practices Act prescribes several unbiased and repressive customs practised against women by penalising the offenders. The Criminal Law in which amendments were made in 2016 primarily covers the offences of rape, gang rape, rape of minors, and a person with a disability, and penalises offenders with imprisonment for life and fine or both.

The Policy for Women Authorisation in Punjab includesPunjab Women Empowerment Package 2012, 2016 (PWEP);Punjab Women Empowerment Initiatives 2014; Punjab Women Development Policy 2018 (PWDP);Punjab Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace (Amendment) Act, 2012;Punjab Fair Representation of Women Act, 2014;Punjab Protection of Women against Violence Act, 2016; andPunjab Women Protection Authority Ordinance, 2017.

The PWEP states unequivocally that women empowerment and guaranteeing egalitarian environment for women in all segments of life is the pivotal concern of government of Punjab. This policy intervention reopens the door for implementation of the Millennium Development Goals and targets related to women empowerment in Punjab, predominantly in the fields of education, health, governance, leadership, and employment.

The PWDP aims to provide a framework and a charter, which endorse women development, gender parity and equal rights in all strata of society, family and workplace, and across all government apparatus. The Punjab Protection act 2012 focuses on safety of women against harassment.The Punjab Women Protection Authority Ordinance, 2017 emphasises against violence against women.

Women are the emerging and the central character of the new urbanised world. Their participation and representation are increasing in all domains of business, governance and development. As a corollary to this changed role in society, they are required to visit workplaces and experience public places. It has been observed that some of these places are grounds of antagonism and discomfort. An investigation of conventional practices poses challenges for urban planners and is worthy of attention.

Quotidian places, such as pedestrian sidewalks, underpasses, passageways, public restrooms and bus stops are unnoticed within urban planning. To plan and design safe public places for females, planners, engineers and architects should emphasise on lighting, landscaping, visibility, motorised traffic, pedestrian circulation, street furniture, potential hiding spots, sign boards, security staff, closeness to other public places, contiguity to emergency services, and access to public transport. Each of these areas should be given consideration from the perspective of females of all ages who use public places.

The writer is a researcher and an urban planner working atthe University of Management and Technology