Imposition of ‘Curfew’ on Women to Mitigate Nighttime Sexual Harassment Threats

A recent poll has exposed the significant impact of sexual harassment on women’s nighttime outdoor exercise routines. The survey, conducted by Censuswide and commissioned by the “This Girl Can” campaign, involved 1,000 women across the UK. The results revealed that nearly two-thirds of the participants expressed concern about being targeted for sexual harassment while exercising at nighttime. Among the respondents, 48% admitted they avoid outdoor physical activities after dark, while 46% said they alter their exercise routines or habits during the darker months.

In response to the findings, Kate Dale, the director of marketing at Sport England and This Girl Can, expressed deep concern over the decreased physical activity levels among women as daylight hours wane. She highlighted the adverse impact on women’s overall health and well-being and urged intervention to address this issue.

As the campaign focuses on making sport and physical activity safer for women, it aims to eliminate emotional barriers that may discourage women from participating in outdoor exercise. One recent effort involved a parliamentary roundtable discussion, which identified key themes and actions to enhance women’s safety in sports and physical activities.

The broader mission of the campaign is to bridge the “enjoyment gap,” where fewer women than men engage in physical activities. To achieve this, the campaign seeks to empower society, sports organizations, and physical activity providers to create environments that make exercise safe, suitable, social, and self-affirming for women.

The data from the poll underscores the critical need for addressing safety concerns that hinder women from participating in outdoor physical activities, particularly during the darker months when daylight is limited. Making exercise safer and more accessible for women is a shared responsibility that requires collective engagement and action.

_{Repurposed article originally published in Independent}