Poor public services increase risk of violence against women

ActionAid interviews women in 6 cities across the world on the daily threats they face Poor quality and underfunded public services are contributing to the "constant" violence, harassment and intimidation that millions of women face in cities across the world, according to new report by charity ActionAid .The report says that lack of access to public services such as transport, decent housing, sanitation, water and street lighting is leaving poor women and girls vulnerable and exposed to violence. The findings also show systematic failings by police to address the widespread incidents of violence against women and girls.
During the study, ActionAid International interviewed women in six cities – in Recife (Brazil), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Mombasa (Kenya), Monrovia (Liberia) and (Kathmandu) Nepal. The women spoke of the daily threats they face, including rape, sexual harassment, robbery and beatings, in public spaces and around their homes and places of work.
The news comes after the UN recently announced that rapid urbanisation has increased the risks for people living in urban areas, especially women and children.
The research highlighted how street vendors in Addis Ababa told ActionAid that lack of policing meant they were attacked and robbed on their way home from work by men who knew they were carrying money.
"Violence against women is obviously a global problem and as the majority of people now live in cities, public services can and must be part of the solution for making their lives safer," said Ramona Vijeyarasa, Senior Programme Manager for Women's Rights at ActionAid International.
"City planning is still very much a male-dominated world, and until women can have a say in how cities should be designed and built, their needs and safety are going to be ignored," he added.
ActionAid International concluded the report by urging governments to allocate funds to ensure the provision of accessible and affordable public services, including drinking water, healthcare, education, housing, sanitation, electricity, roads and transport for poor people, especially women and girls.