A girl sets out for university in the morning. As she crosses the door, her mother says a familiar thing: “Be careful.” The words are ordinary. Every day, mothers, fathers, and family members of thousands of girls say such things. But behind this short sentence lies a bigger reality: a girl going outside does not just mean reaching her destination; she must also navigate the journey itself.
By a safe place, we generally mean a place where a person can move about without fear. But for a girl, the meaning of safety is often much broader. On the road, on the bus, in a rickshaw, at an educational institution, at a workplace; in every place, she has to assess her safety in her own way.
While walking on a busy footpath in Dhaka, a woman might check whether her clothes are all right, whether her bag is secure, and who is walking nearby. When she boards a bus, she often must consciously decide where to stand, beside whom to sit, and when to get off.
Crowds in public transport are a major reality. There is little space on the bus and many passengers. There, a woman cannot think only about her destination; she must also be conscious of her personal space. If an uncomfortable situation arises, questions come to mind about whether to protest, whether the people around will help.
Although a university or workplace is a relatively familiar place, it is not always free from discomfort. When a student leaves in the evening after class, the first thought that may come to her mind is: how long will it take to get home? A phone call from family might come: where are you? These questions come from love, but at the same time, they convey how important it is to return home safely.
But safety cannot be only a woman’s responsibility. Building a safe city is the responsibility of everyone in society. Adequate street lighting, safe public transport, effective surveillance in crowded places, arrangements for quick assistance, and people’s awareness- all of these together create a safe environment.
If a woman is told, “Don’t go out at night,” perhaps one part of the problem can be avoided, but the problem is not solved. Work, studies, medical treatment, or personal needs are not all confined to a fixed time of day. When a person stays outside depends on their needs.
Another important aspect of safety is respect. The idea that if a woman walks on the street, she must be prepared to face someone’s comments, stares, or unwanted behaviour needs to change. A safe place means not just being physically safe; being able to move about with dignity is also part of safety.
To understand a city’s safety, one does not need to look only at the big roads or beautiful buildings. One needs to see how comfortably an ordinary woman can walk on that street in the evening. One needs to see how at ease a female student feels boarding a bus after class. One needs to see what a working woman thinks while returning home after night work.
Therefore, the question is not only about where girls can be safe but whether we are able to build a society where a girl does not have to reduce her freedom in order to stay safe?
In a truly safe city, girls will not have to calculate again and again before going out. There, evening will not mean fear, boarding public transport will not mean discomfort, and when returning home, there will be not just worry in the family’s voice but also a feeling of reassurance.
A safe place is perhaps not the name of a particular road, bus, or building. A safe place is created through people’s behaviour, sense of responsibility, and respect. That safety is not only for women; in the end, it is the hallmark of a good city.
