Imagine a Glasgow built by and for women…
What could be done to make Glasgow feel more safe for women? On International Women’s Day, Becki Menzies considers what it might take for Glasgow’s urban infrastructure better support the needs of women and non-binary people.
By Becki Menzies
This International Women’s Day I wanted to imagine my city as a place that was built by and for me. A place where I feel safe, empowered and listened to.
Right now Glasgow doesn’t feel like a city for women.
A lack of well-lit streets and parks, and a fractured, expensive public transport system often leave women and non-binary people without a safe and accessible option to live our lives the way we want to.
Last year, the Young Women’s Movement Scotland published their report, ‘Glasgow: A Feminist City?’. Research was undertaken by the Young Women Lead project into whether Glasgow’s urban infrastructure supported the needs of women and non-binary people.
The short answer, no.
As the report highlights, urban planning has historically been a male-dominated industry. Women’s experiences have often been ignored, or assumed by town planners. Consequently, cities often lack infrastructure that accommodates women such as accessible public toilets, lighting and facilities for pregnant women/women with caring responsibilities.
In Glasgow, women only make up 38.1% of city councillors so it’s no surprise that the city doesn’t reflect our needs. How can the city work for us when we aren’t equally represented?
The report also surveyed young women and non-binary people living in Glasgow about their experiences. Respondents highlighted issues relating to safety, convenience, accessibility and affordability with many concerned about the violence and harassment women had experienced due to poor infrastructure.
As a young woman living in Govanhill, I share the same concerns. I want to feel safe in my city, no matter what I’m doing or where I’m going.
There are signs the city is moving in the right direction to improve the experience of women and non-binary people in the city.
Last week it was announced that three Glasgow parks, including Queen’s Park, would be part of a new pilot scheme to improve lighting. This is a long-standing demand of women in the city, and of feminist campaign groups across the country such as Reclaim These Streets. Lighting up our parks and making everyone feel safer seems like a no-brainer.
Another potential pilot scheme is free public transport. Campaign group Get Glasgow Moving has been calling for this for several years, and in February 2022 Green councillors proposed the pilot as one of their key priorities in the city’s upcoming budget.
Getting home safely and affordably shouldn’t be as difficult as it is.
Free, accessible and reliable public transport would improve the city for all its residents, not just women. It would also help the city tackle air pollution and tackle the climate emergency.
It goes without saying that lighting up the parks and providing free, accessible and reliable public transport won’t fix all of the problems faced by women in the city. But they are two things the council could do right now to make Glasgow more liveable for women.
With the council elections coming up in May, we as women have the power to elect people who will truly represent us. It’s refreshing to see some parties electing young women as candidates in winnable seats. Glasgow is made up of 50.9% women, so why is our city council made up of mainly men?
Let’s hope that when International Women’s Day comes next year, Glasgow will be a city where women feel safe, empowered and are equally represented so that it can truly be a city by and for women.