In the face of numerous studies demonstrating the significant role of physical activity in reducing the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), it has become a fundamental aspect of the World Health Organization's (WHO) global action plan for physical activity. The aim is to encourage people worldwide to engage in more physical activity hours to mitigate health problems (World Health Organization, 2019). However, a substantial portion of our lives is spent in outdoor settings and public spaces, such as workplaces, schools, parks, or shopping malls. This also includes commuting and the use of public transportation. Research has consistently shown a strong correlation between the time spent in outdoor activities and the amount of physical activity undertaken. Those who spend more time in public spaces tend to engage in increased physical activity (Shanahanet al., 2016). Therefore, public spaces play a dual role in our daily lives; they are not only integral to our routine but also serve as a determinant that encourages individuals to increase their physical activity hours and improve overall well-being.

Public spaces are meant to be accessible to all and should be utilized without restrictions. However, what happens when these spaces instead exclude women? A gender-focused urban planning and design study by the World Bank in 2020 revealed that urban planning and design fields were overwhelmingly male-dominated. This was evident by the fact that the percentage of women in architecture remained below 10%,and women and gender minority groups were largely excluded from the urban design process (Terraza et al., 2020). Consequently, public spaces are often designed without taking into account the specific needs of each gender. For example, a park may feature only football fields or basketball courts, sports often perceived as male-oriented, thereby limiting women's participation(Gardner & Begault, 2019). Moreover, public spaces often lack safety and a welcoming environment for women. Previous studies indicate that a significant number of women have experienced harassment and assault in public spaces, including workplaces, schools, and public transportation. These incidents manifest in various forms, such as physical abuse, sexual harassment, and humiliation (UN WOMEN, 2017). Instead of being able to utilize public spaces to increase their physical activity, women face exclusion and insecurity in these environments, resulting in barriers that hinder their access to public spaces. Therefore, achieving equal access to public spaces without gender discrimination necessitates the creation of more opportunities for women to share their experiences and the development of design guidelines that cater to their lifestyles and can be accessed by all genders without limitations.

References:

Gardner, J., & Begault, L.(2019). How Better Urban Planning Can Improve Gender Equality. Behavioral Scientist.

Shanahan, D. F., Franco, L., Lin, B.B., Gaston, K. J., & Fuller, R. A. (2016). The benefits of natural environments for physical activity. Sports Medicine, 46(7), 989-995.

Terraza, H., Orlando, M. B., Lakovits, C., Lopes Janik, V., & Kalashyan, A. (2020). Handbook for gender-inclusive urban planning and design.

UN WOMEN. (2017). Safe cities and safe public spaces: Global results report.

World Health Organization. (2019). Global action plan on physical activity 2018-2030: more active people for a healthier world. World Health Organization.