Document Type : Original Article
Authors
Department of Women and Family Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences and Economics, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Objective: Feeling safe is a fundamental prerequisite for the equal right to access the city and for social participation. However, evidence shows that women in public spaces, especially in public transportation systems such as the subway, often do not fully experience this feeling. This study was conducted with the aim of deeply examining the lived experiences of women regarding their sense of safety in the Tehran Metro and discovering the factors influencing the formation of this experience, in order to fill the existing gap in understanding the subjective and contextual dimensions of this phenomenon.
Methods: Using qualitative thematic analysis, we studied female metro passengers selected through random sampling. Data was collected via semi-structured interviews exploring their safety experiences.
Results: The analysis of women's experiences revealed that feeling safe is a multi-layered concept. It is influenced by gender-based harassment, including meaningful glances, sexual remarks, and physical boundary violations. Additionally, factors such as the ambiguous layout of the metro space, inadequate lighting, and urban accessibility also contributed to their sense of insecurity.
Conclusions: Women's metro insecurity primarily stems from gender-based violence experiences. Strategic improvements in physical (lighting, design) and social (surveillance, awareness) conditions can significantly enhance safety and encourage women's societal participation. These measures are essential for creating inclusive urban transit systems.
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