Personal physical insecurity of women

Fear of violence by women
Risk of violence to women

Nature

Women face threats to their physical safety in both public and private spaces, with risks ranging from harassment and assault to more extreme forms of violence such as trafficking, forced disappearances, and femicide. These dangers are exacerbated by cultural and legal environments that fail to protect women or even reinforce their vulnerability through weak enforcement of laws, victim-blaming attitudes, and impunity for perpetrators. Many women are forced to alter their daily behaviors—limiting their mobility, modifying their appearance, or avoiding certain places—just to reduce their chances of being targeted. In conflict zones, personal insecurity intensifies as women become deliberate targets of war crimes, sexual violence, and displacement. Meanwhile, domestic violence remains one of the most underreported and least prosecuted forms of abuse, trapping many women in unsafe environments with little recourse for justice. The persistent threat of physical harm not only affects individual well-being but also hinders women's social, economic, and political participation, reinforcing broader patterns of gender-based oppression.

Incidence

Globally, approximately one in three women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence, predominantly by an intimate partner. In developing nations, nearly half of women are denied the right to make decisions about their own bodies, including choices related to sexual relations, contraception, and healthcare. In 2023, an average of 140 women and girls were killed daily by intimate partners or family members, totaling about 51,100 victims worldwide. Additionally, over 640 million women aged 15 and over—about one in four—have experienced violence at the hands of their partner.

In Africa, across the continent, 31% of women have experienced intimate partner violence in their lifetimes. In South Africa, the situation is particularly alarming, with around 200,000 women reporting violent physical attacks to the police each year. Studies show that over 40% of South African men admit to being physically violent toward a partner, while 40% to 50% of women have experienced intimate partner violence. In West Africa, rates of violence vary by country but remain significantly high. In Nigeria, approximately 31% of women aged 15–49 have experienced physical violence, while 36% of ever-married women report physical, emotional, or sexual abuse by their partners. In Ghana, about 28% of women have faced intimate partner violence, with 39% of ever-married women reporting spousal abuse. Sierra Leone has one of the highest reported rates, with 61% of women aged 15–49 experiencing physical violence and 43% facing intimate partner violence. Similarly, in Liberia, around 60% of women and girls of reproductive age have suffered physical violence, with 33% reporting incidents in the past 12 months.

In the United Kingdom, a report by the National Audit Office highlighted that one in 12 women in England and Wales has been affected, with sexual assaults increasing and domestic abuse reports slightly decreasing.

In Argentina, between 2013 and 2018, the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses reported 576,360 cases of violence against women. The most frequent form was psychological violence (86%), followed by physical violence (56.3%), patrimonial violence (16.8%), symbolic violence (20.1%), and sexual violence (7.5%). In El Salvador, seven out of ten women have reported experiencing violence in their lifetimes, with a third reporting incidents in the past 12 months (2022).

In Australia, personal physical insecurity remains a serious issue, with nearly 39% of women having experienced violence since the age of 15. Intimate partner violence is particularly alarming, affecting one in four women (27%), who have suffered physical, emotional, or economic abuse from a cohabiting partner. Sexual violence is also prevalent, with 23% of Australian women reporting experiences of sexual assault or childhood sexual abuse. Tragically, on average, one woman is killed every nine days by a current or former partner, underscoring the deadly consequences of gender-based violence.

In the United States, over one in three women (35.6%) have endured rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner. The prevalence of sexual violence is stark, with one in six American women having been the victim of an attempted or completed rape. The crisis extends to homicide, with an estimated 140 women and girls killed daily by intimate partners or family members, totaling over 51,100 victims annually.

Claim

The widespread physical insecurity of women is not just a personal or community problem—it is a global human rights emergency. Women across the world live in constant fear of harassment, assault, and violence, both in public and private spaces. This insecurity restricts their freedom, limits their opportunities, and reinforces gender inequality at every level. When half the population cannot walk alone at night, travel freely, or feel safe in their own homes, it is not just a failure of law enforcement but a direct indictment of governments, institutions, and societies that have allowed this crisis to persist. Until structural and cultural changes are made to protect women’s safety, we are failing as a global community.

The fact that women are disproportionately unsafe in their daily lives is not an accident—it is the result of systemic negligence and a deeply ingrained culture of misogyny. From ineffective policing to inadequate legal protections, governments continue to ignore or downplay the violence that women face. In many countries, women’s reports of abuse are dismissed, rapists walk free, and domestic violence is normalized. Women are constantly forced to modify their behavior to avoid being attacked, rather than societies addressing the root causes of male violence. This is not just a failure of law enforcement—it is a societal acceptance of violence against women as an unavoidable reality, which is both outrageous and inexcusable.

No one should have to structure their life around avoiding violence, yet for millions of women, this is their daily reality. Women everywhere plan their routes home, text friends to confirm their safety, carry self-defense tools, and avoid certain places—all because they know they are potential targets of violence. Meanwhile, the men who commit these acts rarely face consequences, protected by legal loopholes, societal excuses, and institutional failures. The fact that women are expected to "be careful" rather than men being expected not to harm them is an appalling reflection of the world we live in. Women's fear is not irrational—it is a survival strategy forced upon them by a society that has failed to ensure their safety.

Counter-claim

The claim that women live in constant physical insecurity is an exaggeration fueled by fear-mongering and media sensationalism. In most developed countries, crime rates have declined, and legal protections for women have never been stronger. Women today have more rights, freedom, and access to law enforcement than at any point in history. While isolated incidents of violence occur, as they do for all people, the idea that women must constantly live in fear is a distorted narrative that ignores progress. Instead of spreading fear, society should focus on celebrating the advances that have made life safer for everyone—including women.

The idea that women are uniquely at risk ignores a fundamental fact: men experience violence at higher rates than women. Crime statistics consistently show that men are more likely to be victims of homicide, physical assault, and violent crime in general. Yet, no one claims men are living in “physical insecurity.” The focus on women’s safety overlooks broader issues of crime and violence affecting all people. Instead of making this a gendered issue, we should work on improving public safety for everyone, rather than pretending women face a special crisis.

The claim that women are inherently unsafe ignores the reality that personal choices and situational awareness play a major role in security. Just as anyone should take precautions in high-risk areas, women also need to be mindful of their surroundings. Governments and law enforcement cannot eliminate all risk, and expecting the world to change completely to accommodate safety concerns is unrealistic. Most incidents of violence against women happen in specific contexts—late at night, in dangerous areas, or involving risky behaviors. Instead of blaming society, women should focus on empowering themselves through self-defense, awareness, and smarter decision-making.