As the nights grow darker, responsible companies must adapt to womens' needs

It happens every year: women once again face an imposed curfew that comes with the changing of the clocks in winter. With the death of British Summer Time, and 4pm sunsets encroaching on our evenings, women are faced with the annual readjustment of their activities. 

Gone are the evening jogs and walking home without fear after work or drinks.  Instead , we worry about how we make it home safe and sound - what different routes we can take or the favours we can ask of our loved ones to pick us up. This is reflected in polling: a huge 56% of women quit exercising outdoors in winter; whilst a huge 63% report feeling unsafe walking alone at night.

It is a fact we carry with us: Women’s (partial) freedom is seasonal.

Despite this, mitigation for women’s safety is often surface level at best. Sure, plenty of people speak about what needs to be done but how often does this actually turn into action? In all, the reaction to the changing seasons and onset of increased fear are slow, if any change is acknowledged at all.

The biggest issue of all for women is transport. How do we get home safe? Is the infrastructure there? Thankfully, In city centres at least, buses and trains are an option. In London, the Mayor has gone some way to acknowledging this challenge with the launch of a Women’s Night Safety Charter. But this is not enough. London is still a fearful place for many. And what if we fall victim to the crumbling infrastructure outside of London? Or a bus route that is cancelled? What about when trains are not running? Or we live in the suburbs that are not served well?

In all of these instances, women in regions served by ride-hailing apps resort to their phone. Bolt, Uber, FreeNow and their counterparts become a lifeline. But sometimes, they are not.

Cab-hailing companies have been regularly beset with complaints that they cancel rides that are not especially lucrative, or are too far, whilst leaving vulnerable customers to wait in dangerous situations. A lack of drivers and fuel has had the knock on effect of putting women and other customers at risk. Women have spoken to outlets such as Refinery29 to tell the common tale of how they have been stranded for long durations of time whilst trying to get home. 

When these companies are serving as a safety net for so many women, this is simply not good enough - nor has it received the attention it deserves.

So what needs to be done? Companies that are in a position to help women and other vulnerable people looking to find a safe way home should prioritise their needs. Theirs is a position of power to make change. Many of these companies have gone to considerable lengths - in their public discussions with trade unions especially - to improve their reputations on corporate responsibility and social justice. To genuinely fulfil these changes, they must clear the hurdle of women’s safety.

What can be done? Prioritise vulnerable customers to prevent these instances of stranding. Ensure no woman is stranded, ever. Have internal discussions to ensure that your companies can be a reliable and safe option when public infrastructure fails to keep up. Get campaigners onside and learn from them, and bring the rest of the industry with you. Take a stand as an industry leader.

The nights will continue to grow darker, and the need for action more urgent. It’s time ride-hailing companies lived up to this moment, so that women’s seasonal safety is no longer shoved under a rug for yet another year.

Jade is a public affairs and campaigns specialist with experience from across the third sector, private sector and Westminster, having previously worked for a Shadow Secretary of State and across numerous general and leadership elections. She now uses this expertise to secure success for organisations in influencing the political agenda and national conversation.

Purpose Union is a specialist social purpose strategy firm that works with clients to develop compelling arguments, build powerful coalitions, and devise winning campaigns to change the world for good.

Contact jade.azim@purposeunion.com to find out more.

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