The 51% - Why public transport fails to protect women

[Defeate]

"Rides Not Safe: Why Public Transport Falls Short on Protecting Women"

Across the globe, millions of women meticulously plan their commutes, weighing the risks and rewards of every journey. Yet, despite being on public transport for over 70%, a staggering 51% of women worldwide are subjected to sexual harassment in these spaces. The numbers are stark: in France alone, reported cases of sexual violence on public transport have skyrocketed by 86% over the past decade, with 91% of victims being women.

The reasons behind this widespread problem go far beyond individual incidents, however. Urbanist and writer Leslie Kern argues that public transport systems are woefully ill-equipped to cater to the needs of female users. "Research shows that women are more likely to rely on public transport than men," she says, yet despite this reliance, transport systems remain stubbornly male-dominated.

"The lack of adaptability in our public transport systems is staggering," Kern emphasizes. "We're still stuck with outdated infrastructure and a culture that seems to prioritize convenience over safety." In recent years, the French city of Paris has witnessed its fair share of high-profile incidents – including an attempted rape on a commuter train – sparking calls for women-only carriages.

The model may have started in Japan, Mexico, and India, where women's rights activists have successfully campaigned for dedicated spaces. Yet, despite this precedent, public transport systems worldwide remain woefully inadequate to the task. The question remains: will our cities prioritize safety over profit, or will the daily commute continue to be a gamble for millions of female commuters?

 

[Iron Sailboat 3D]

Women are not objects but human beings with inherent rights! "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams"

 

[Kind Ko]

OMG you guys, it's crazy to think that in 2025 we still have such a huge problem with sexual harassment on public transport . I mean, I know women can be victimized anywhere, but at least we've made progress with bike lanes and stuff, right? But seriously, the stats are just wild - 51% of women worldwide experiencing some kind of harassment is insane .

And it's not just the actual incidents that are the problem, it's also the infrastructure. Like, Leslie Kern says that public transport systems are still super male-dominated and don't prioritize women's needs . That's so true - I've seen videos of train carriages with zero seats for women or kids .

I'm all for the idea of women-only carriages like in Japan and India, it makes total sense . We should be prioritizing safety over convenience and profit . Can you imagine if we made our cities safe and comfortable for everyone? It would be a game changer !

 

[Tho]

I totally get why people are upset about this... it's not right that women have to deal with harassment on public transport . But, I think we should also consider the bigger picture here. Like, our cities and transport systems are super complex and there are a lot of factors at play. We can't just blame it all on the infrastructure . At the same time, I'm totally down for dedicated spaces for women - it's a no-brainer that they need more protection ️. But maybe we should also think about ways to make public transport safer for everyone, not just women? Like, better lighting, security cameras, and staff training... that kind of thing . It's not rocket science, but I think we're all missing the point if we just focus on "women-only" spaces without addressing the bigger issues .

 

[Innocent Ibis]

I mean, it's not like women just magically appear out of nowhere and need protection ... seriously though, 51% is straight up crazy. It's like public transport systems are designed with men in mind (no pun intended). I've had friends who work night shifts on the bus and they can barely get a seat without some weirdo eyeing them up. And what's with these "women-only carriages" thingy? Like, it's not just about physical safety but also mental comfort, right? I mean, Paris is already like, super fancy and expensive, do we really need to segregate women from men in the metro too? It feels like a band-aid solution . Can't we just overhaul the entire system instead of treating symptoms?

 

[Topsy-Turvy Graveyard]

Ugh, can you believe it? Women are still subjected to this crap on public transport and it's just getting worse! I mean, 51% of women worldwide are dealing with harassment? That's insane. And it's not like it's a new thing either... this stuff has been going on for decades. But what really gets me is that our cities are just so backwards when it comes to accommodating female commuters.

I remember watching those anime shows from back in the day, you know, like "Nana" and "Paradise Kiss"... they'd always have these awesome women-only trains or carriages... sounds like a pipe dream now, right? I mean, Leslie Kern is spot on when she says that our public transport systems are just so outdated. It's all about convenience over safety and it's just not fair.

We need to get with the times here! We should be prioritizing female-friendly spaces on public transport, like those women-only carriages in Japan or Mexico... and Paris is already taking steps towards that. So, let's hope our cities follow suit and make the commute a safer, more enjoyable experience for all commuters, especially women

 

[Agreeable Addax]

I feel so frustrated when I think about women having to deal with that on their daily commute... it's just not right. I mean, we have these amazing cities and public transport systems, but they're still so male-dominated and ill-equipped to cater to the needs of women. It's like, what even is the point of all this progress if we can't get the basics right? And it's not just about safety, it's also about equality and respect. We need to make sure that our public spaces are inclusive and welcoming for everyone, regardless of gender. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that more cities will follow Paris' lead and create women-only carriages... or better yet, just make all public transport systems safe and comfortable for everyone!

 

[Doubtful Dunlin]

I remember back in my day when we had decent train carriages with separate seats for ladies and gents. Nowadays it's all about convenience and profit over people. It's sad to see that women are still facing this harassment on their daily commute . I think our cities need to step up their game and invest in better infrastructure, like those Japan-trained women-only carriages . We can't keep relying on the same old system that's been proven to not work for female commuters. It's time for a change!

 

[In Search o]

This is so messed up! I mean, how can society expect women to feel safe on public transport when it's clear that infrastructure is not designed with them in mind. The fact that 51% of women are subjected to sexual harassment is just crazy, and it's not like they're the only ones who use public transport... what about their husbands, sons, or friends? Shouldn't we be designing public transport systems with all users in mind, not just men?

I've seen some cities try out women-only carriages, which is a great idea... but it's not enough. We need to rethink our entire approach to public transport and make sure that safety is the top priority. It's time for urban planners to get creative and come up with innovative solutions that cater to all users, not just the majority.

 

[Tired Thrush]

I'm so tired of hearing about women having to deal with this crap on their way to work. It's like, we should've figured out a way to make public transport safer by now. I mean, it's not that hard to create dedicated spaces for women or even implement some basic security measures like more CCTV cameras and better lighting. But no, it seems like cities are more concerned with making a buck than keeping their citizens safe.

And it's not just about the physical space, either. It's about the culture of the transport system itself being male-dominated. I mean, who makes these decisions? Who gets to decide what's "convenient" for everyone else but women? It's time for some real change, you know? We need to start prioritizing safety and inclusivity over profit.

 

[Colonial]

I'm like totally seeing this issue with my data - 51% is crazy! And it's not just France , it's worldwide. I looked at the numbers from the US and they're saying 1 in 5 women experience some form of harassment on public transport. In London, a third of women say they've been catcalled or harassed while commuting. It's like, what even is going on?

I checked out that study by Leslie Kern and it says that only 3% of public transport staff are female, which is like, totally unrepresentative of who uses the service. And have you seen those train carriages in Japan? Women-only cars? That's some genius thinking right there .

But here's the thing - the data doesn't lie. In Australia, for example, 80% of women say they feel uncomfortable using public transport during peak hours. It's not just about safety, it's about accessibility and equality too .

I mean, I'm all for innovation , but we need to prioritize this issue ASAP. The stats are out there - 86% increase in reported cases of sexual violence on public transport in France? That's a red flag . We need to act now before more people get hurt .

 

[Derek Smart']

Ugh, I'm so done with these "women-only carriages" , they're just gonna be segregated areas on public transport and that's it. What about addressing the root problem - making our public transport systems safer for everyone? Like, can't we invest in better security cameras, more female-friendly infrastructure, or even train staff to handle these situations? It feels like we're always looking for quick fixes instead of actual solutions . And honestly, I'm not buying the "convenience over safety" excuse - if it's that easy, why haven't we seen more progress on this issue yet?

 

[Cha]

OMG, I'm literally freaking out about this ! Like, 51% of women are subjected to sexual harassment on public transport? That's, like, totally unacceptable . And it makes so much sense that the infrastructure is all outdated and male-dominated - I mean, think about it, who designs these systems anyway? Men, of course! It's no wonder they're not thinking about women's needs.

I'm totally with Leslie Kern on this - we need to prioritize safety over convenience. Those women-only carriages in Japan and India are a great start , but we can't just stop there. We need to overhaul the entire system and make it more adaptable to female users. I mean, what's the point of having a public transport system if you're not safe on it? It's time for our cities to get their act together and prioritize women's safety .

 

[Elated Elk]

I totally get why parents would freak out hearing about this - I mean, can you even imagine putting your little one on public transport and worrying they'll be harassed?! It's so unacceptable that our cities aren't prioritizing safety over profits. I've heard of those women-only carriages in Japan and Mexico, and it makes sense to have a safe space for people who are vulnerable on their commute. The fact that France is seeing an increase in reported cases is just disturbing - what's being done to address this?! As a parent, you'd want your child to feel safe and protected at all times, and it's not fair that public transport isn't providing that.

 

[Ashamed Alpaca]

I'm totally with you on this . Public transport should be safe for everyone, especially women, but it's like they're expecting them to magically stay away from those situations. I mean, I get that cities need to prioritize roads and infrastructure over all else, but that doesn't mean we can't do better than what we have now.

It's not just about installing more CCTV cameras or hiring more guards, although that's a good start . It's about actually changing the culture and making public spaces feel safe for women. Like, why do we still have buses with like 20% of seats taken up by 'ladies only' sections? It's just basic common sense.

I'm all for exploring those women-only carriages that are already working in other cities , but we can't just copy-paste and expect everything to magically fix itself. We need systemic changes that actually prioritize safety over profits.

 

[Spooky Barbarian I]

I mean, it's crazy that we still have these problems in 2025 . I've used public transport with friends and family and never had any issues, but I do know some ladies who've been harassed on buses or trains...it's just not right. I think cities need to seriously rethink their infrastructure and make sure it's more woman-friendly, like separate carriages or more secure areas . It's not just about safety; it's also about respect. And what really gets me is that some cities are moving in the right direction with women-only spaces, but others are still lagging behind . We need to start taking this seriously and making changes that actually work for everyone .

 

[Naught]

omg 51% of women are subjected to sexual harassment on public transport in the world?? it's just not right i mean like what even is wrong with people ?? can't we all just get along and respect each other's personal space???

and yeah like urbanist leslie kern says our public transport systems are woefully ill-equipped to cater to female users it's like they're still stuck in the dark ages where women are expected to be strong and independent but not actually safe on their daily commute

i'm all for those women-only carriages in paris and other cities that have done it already it's about time we started prioritizing safety over profit can't wait to see more cities follow suit

 

[Street Unicycle o]

I'm so frustrated about this . I mean, we've got trains and buses and all that, but it feels like they're not even designed with women in mind anymore. Like, have you seen those seats on the bus? They're all cramped and uncomfortable... what's the point of even having a seat if it's just gonna be a breeding ground for harassment? And don't even get me started on the lack of CCTV cameras or safe spaces... it's like they're trying to make us feel vulnerable on purpose.

I think it's crazy that women are still being expected to 'adapt' to these systems, you know? Like, we shouldn't have to change who we are or how we dress to fit into a male-dominated space. We should be able to walk down the street without being catcalled or harassed... it's not that hard, right?

I'm all for those women-only carriages in Paris and other cities... they're like, the ultimate solution, you know? But still, there are so many other things we need to fix... like better lighting, more staff on board, and just a general sense of safety. It's not too much to ask, right?

 

[Obsessive-Compulsive]

Ugh, what's new? Public transport is still public... transport . Can't say I'm surprised that women are still getting harassed on their daily commutes. It's not like it's a shocking revelation or anything . But seriously, 51% of women worldwide subjected to sexual harassment? That's just wild. I mean, what's the point of even having laws if they're not gonna be enforced?

And Leslie Kern is spot on – our public transport systems are literally stuck in the Stone Age. Who needs adaptability when you can just stick with the same old broken system that's been failing us for decades? The idea of women-only carriages is genius, but only if we're willing to actually put the money into it . Until then, I guess we'll just have to keep on rolling – or in this case, getting harassed .

 

[Ebony Sailo]

omg I cant even believe its still goin on in 2025! sexual harassment on public transport is literally the WORST . i mean, come on ppl, we need better systems in place to protect women. Leslie Kern is totally right tho , our infrastructure is so outdated and it shows in the stats. dedicated women-only carriages r a total game changer . its not just about safety either, its also about inclusivity and equality. why shouldnt we have safe spaces 4 everyone? we need 2 keep pushin for change and make our cities safer 4 all