Walking Without Fear: A Call to Action for Women’s Safety

In today’s world, every woman deserves the right to walk without fear, whether she’s heading to work, meeting friends, or simply enjoying a peaceful evening stroll. Yet, for countless women, safety remains an elusive comfort. Anxiety and vigilance have become a part of their daily routine. Women’s safety isn’t just a matter of public policy; it is deeply personal, affecting lives, families, and futures.

The Silent Burden: From an early age, women are often taught to be cautious—to avoid certain places at certain times, to carry keys between their fingers, or to stay on the phone when walking alone. This “silent burden” is one of the unseen weights women carry, like invisible armour against the unpredictability of violence or harassment. It’s a reality that robs them of freedom, joy, and peace of mind. For many, the fear doesn’t always come from a known threat. It’s the possibility, the uncertainty that something could happen. A woman walking home after dark might quicken her pace, lower her eyes, or change her route. She’s not just managing her time or navigating city streets; she’s calculating risk, choosing safety over spontaneity.

The Human Cost of Insecurity: Beyond the obvious physical threat, women’s safety has a far-reaching psychological impact. The fear of harassment or violence can shape life decisions in profound ways. What time they leave for work, where they choose to live, or whether they pursue certain jobs- all are influenced by the need to feel safe. Think of the women who decline promotions or opportunities that require late-night shifts or travel to unsafe areas. Think of the countless dreams quietly surrendered because of hidden dangers. Every woman who faces these choices is a person with hopes, ambitions, and a future that could have been brighter in a world where safety wasn’t an issue. This is not just a “women’s issue”. It is a societal issue, affecting communities, families, and economies. Women’s potential to thrive and contribute is limited when they don’t feel safe. And that should matter to everyone.

Even in the harshest circumstances, stories of bravery and resilience emerge. Women who advocate for change, raise awareness and stand up to a system that often looks away are shining examples of courage. They are mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends who refuse to accept a world where they are treated as second-class citizens in terms of safety. Consider the countless women-led movements worldwide, such as #MeToo (a movement against sexual harassment and assault, initiated by Tarana Burke in 2006) which highlighted the prevalence of harassment and abuse. It sparked global conversations about consent, respect, and accountability. Every woman who shared her story became a voice for millions who had lived in silence.

The path to ensuring women’s safety starts with awareness and continues with action. It’s not enough to raise the issue; we must actively work to reshape the environment that allows insecurity to thrive. We must strengthen laws, enforce strict consequences for harassment and violence, and ensure that public spaces are designed with women’s needs in mind.

Safety initiatives must be multi-dimensional: from better street lighting to accessible public transportation and more visible law enforcement in areas prone to violence. Workplaces must foster cultures of respect and accountability, ensuring women feel protected, both physically and emotionally. But the most important shift is cultural. How society views women and the standards it holds regarding their treatment must change. We need to raise boys and men to respect women as equals, to reject violence in all forms, and to understand the weight of their actions. When we normalize safety and respect, we create a world where fear no longer dictates choices.

A Future Without Fear

The vision for women’s safety is clear—one where women can walk, work, and live without the shadow of fear looming over them. It’s a future where freedom is not just a right, but a lived reality for women everywhere. But to get there, it requires collective will, societal change, and relentless action.

Let’s build a world where women can walk without fear, a world where every woman, no matter where she is, feels safe, respected, and valued. We owe it not just to women, but to ourselves as a society that believes in the power of humanity and equality.

Dev Kumar Bisukarma

(5th Semester)

Dept. of Education, Modern

College, Piphema