KARACHI:
Public spaces are meant to be accessible to everyone, regardless of gender. Yet, for many women in Karachi, visiting a park, walking along a footpath or waiting at a bus stop can be accompanied by concerns about harassment and personal safety. The issue is not merely the absence of public spaces, but the loss of freedom to use them comfortably and without fear.
A Women’s Safety Audit conducted in 2020 by Aurat Foundation, with support from UN Women and other partners, found that 81% of women and girls surveyed across five selected districts felt unsafe in markets and parks, while 93.2% felt unsafe at transport stops and stands. In Karachi, 75% of the women surveyed reported feeling unsafe in public places. Although this study is from 2020, it remains an important source of evidence on the problem.
The issue continues to demand attention. In June 2026, the Ministry of Human Rights and UN Women held a consultation in Karachi to discuss preventing violence against women and strengthening protection and access to justice. While this initiative addressed violence against women more broadly, it highlights the continuing need for effective protection and accountability.
In Karachi, inadequate street lighting, poorly maintained footpaths, harassment and concerns about street crime can make public spaces difficult to navigate. Consequently, women may feel compelled to avoid certain places, limit their activities or depend on others for transportation. When women cannot freely use shared spaces, they lose opportunities for recreation, independence and participation in public life.
The responsibility for addressing this problem lies with both urban planners and relevant authorities. Better street lighting, well-maintained footpaths, safer public transport, effective complaint mechanisms and consistent enforcement against harassment are practical steps towards making public spaces more accessible. Parks and recreational facilities must also be maintained in ways that encourage women and families to use them.
Public spaces should not be designed only for those who already feel safe using them. Women should not have to sacrifice their independence to feel secure in their own city. Reclaiming Karachi’s public spaces requires more than constructing parks or improving roads; it requires ensuring that women can use these spaces with dignity, confidence and freedom.
Humaira
Karachi
