Gender inclusion in urban consumption spaces
Figure 14. Average values of influencing factors (Source: Author)
The study found that perceived safety was the most influential factor while choosing a consumption space for women. On a scale of 1 to 10, average point women gave for perception of safety was 7.24, while it remained 5.63 in case of men (after location, variety of stores and affordability). New Consumption Spaces (NCSs), especially shopping malls, have developed the profile of being ‘safe’ hanging out locations (Paul, 2017). In comparison to local markets/streets, women felt safer in shopping malls and department stores. While men in both local markets and new consumption spaces never faced harassment 83.3%, 88.9% of the times respectively, and never perceived judgement 66.7%, 55.6% of the times respectively, there is a disparity between women’s experienced safety in these places. Even though only a small fraction of women (15.3% in case of local markets/streets, 6.8% in case of NCSs) agreed that the shopping spaces they visit were not safe and comfortable for women, 46.2% of women surveyed in local markets/streets, and 30.5% of women surveyed in NCSs have faced harassment at some point. Perceived safety and experienced safety for women remains better (still a worrisome figure) in case of shopping malls and department stores in comparison to local markets/streets. Page | 62
