When women and girls feel unsafe, they are less likely to use, enjoy and benefit from parks, particularly when alone and after dark. This paper by the University of Leeds engages in a discussion about parks and play spaces and how they should be better designed and managed to be well-used, become sociable places that offer activities and facilities that are welcoming to women and girls. Through the use of Q methodology, authors establish that changes should support women and girls to feel safe throughout the day and all-year round. They also highlight that changes to parks must be part of a holistic approach that tackles threats of violence against women and girls, to address root causes of women and girls’ unsafety.
