#WOMENABILITYSOFIA City Center
About the walk The walk was organized in partnership with
The walkers
55%
26-35 Y.O.
TOPIC EVALUATION TOPIC EVALUATION Participants gave a general evaluation on a scale from 1 to 5 of each topic . More detailed assessments are presented on the following pages.
73% 27%
27% 18%
36-65 Y.O.
#WOMENABILITYSOFIA DATA FOR WWW.WOMENABILITY.ORG
- 25 Y.O.
Special thanks to our walkers
#WOMENABILITYSOFIA DATA FOR WWW.WOMENABILITY.ORG
Deniz, Nadya, Max, Raliba, Kameliya, Iva, Deiana, Danai, Kalogan, Mira
In the area of the City Center The walkers appreciate to see the nice landscape with mountain view in the background. like to see ruins and dirty bins, nor homeless people .
They enjoy touching trees and flowers, so they like the proximity with nature. But the proximity with other people and also with bins and trash can be disturbing
They enjoy tasting good food in the numerous nice restaurants. But they do not like fast food.
#WOMENABILITYSOFIA DATA FOR WWW.WOMENABILITY.ORG
They enjoy hearing street musicians and music from some cafĂŠs. But like traffic noise.
They like smelling nature from green spaces. But they do not like nefarious smell from transport, fried fish, or sweaty people.
MOBILITY AND TRANSPORTATION
Because women and men have different mobility habits, and therefore different needs, we asked the women of our walks how frequently they use the various modes of transportation and why they choose so. We also asked them what their wishes were in terms of mobility, so that officials can focus
PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS
PHOTO
➢ Improve public transportation system synchronization, direct routes ).
➢ Improve the atmosphere by increasing the ➢ Improve the environment by giving more space to passive transportation like bike and carpooling.
#WOMENABILITYSOFIA DATA FOR WWW.WOMENABILITY.ORG
KEEP IN TOUCH
Frequency and wish about travel modes Mode
Frequency +/++
Wish +/100%
64%
82%
73%
63%
55%
9%
CHEAP BUT NOT ENOUGH DEVELOPED. 100% are using the subway frequently or very frequently, and it is the most frequent travel mode. Trams and the subway are cheap, recent and clean, but for the moment there are not enough lines (more will be built in the future). QUICK BUT COMPLICATED. For 82% of the respondents. walking gives the possibility to go from any place to another easily and it is quicker than by public transportation. But pedestrians thing there is not enough light in the streets and there is a lack of concern: sidewalks are broken and in winter the snow is not always cleared out . CONVENIENT BUT NOT SAFE. 73% are using buses frequently or very frequently. Buses are very crowded, but too old and cold during winter. There are also some pickpockets.
FAST BUT CORRUPT. 64% of the respondents are using taxis frequently or very frequently. Taxis are usually very cheap and fast, but there are a lot of corruption and illegal drivers. It can also be inconvenient because the drivers smoke. COMFORTABLE BUT NO PARKING LOT. 11% are using their car frequently or very frequently. Driving a car is good as cars are scarce, but cars are very hard to park, in the absence of parking spots. HEALTHY BUT DANGEROUS. 9% of the respondents ride a bike. Bicycling is seen as very healthy and ecological but there are not enough cycle lanes, so it is quite dangerous to bike in the traffic. 55 % would like USEFUL BUT UNCOMFORTABLE. None of to have a the respondents drive a scooter. shared bike system in the city.
+
#WOMENABILITYSOFIA DATA FOR WWW.WOMENABILITY.ORG
About urban signs 73%
of the respondents are not happy with maps in their city. There are not enough maps in the city.
50%
think there are not enough street signs. Street names and directions are not clear enough.
11%
complained that there were no or not enough bicycle paths. Bikers are therefore in the middle of the traffic, which is dangerous.
82% like Ads, in their city. 72%
believe there are enough streets lights. But residents still want more street light to ensure security.
#WOMENABILITYSOFIA DATA FOR WWW.WOMENABILITY.ORG
According to our particpants, only 5% of all street signs in Sofia bear female names.
FAMILY AND LOVE
We believe that the more welcoming, attractive and inclusive the public space is to all, the safer women will be in it. This section public space.
PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS ➢ Create more place for families with babies for them to feed and change comfortably the children. ➢ Imagine new places to create social cohesion, so that old people can be respected. ➢ Improve sanitation and hygiene for facilities.
#WOMENABILITYSOFIA DATA FOR WWW.WOMENABILITY.ORG
With your family 80% of the respondents think the urban
environment is friendly to pregnant women and children. But the city still need more facilities for them (like toilets for example).
55% believe that the environment is
unfriendly to old people, even though there are some benches available. There is a general lack of tolerance for old people.
100% believe there is no space
dedicated to both breastfeeding and changing babies.
64% believe there are good playgrounds for children in the city. They can play safely in open space for children.
#WOMENABILITYSOFIA DATA FOR WWW.WOMENABILITY.ORG
There is no safe place for breastfeed
Tolerance to old people is sometimes really bad...
Love on the streets 75%
of the women respondents feel comfortable wearing anything they want. But they admit to facing sexist reactions from time to time.
100%
of the respondents feel comfortable kissing in public. It is a very common practice.
100%
There is a lot of homophobia. Gay people never show it on the streets You can see a lot of people hugging, kissing and holding hands in the streets, I do it too
May be you can wear short skirts but you have to be brave to deal with the reactions
feel comfortable holding hands, kissing and hugging in public space.
63%
can access contraceptives in the public space; even if the issue is still a little taboo, they can find them everywhere.
#WOMENABILITYSOFIA DATA FOR WWW.WOMENABILITY.ORG
86% think it not possible to express your sexual orientation in Sofia, there are still a lot of homophobia.
SECURITY
Security is the major issue faced by women in public space. Either out of experience or by feelings, it alters their perception and ownership of public space and their right to the streets. In this section we will see what makes space insecure for women and how we can improve it.
PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS ➢ Help people feeling comfortable in the city at night thanks to more street lighting. ➢ Dissuade people from harassment with more police patrols. ➢ Teach people how to react when they are witnessing a situation of harassment.
#WOMENABILITYSOFIA DATA FOR WWW.WOMENABILITY.ORG
PHOTO
Street harassment Some of their worst experiences‌ Frequency legend
WEEKLY
MONTHLY
ANNUALY
NEVER
37 %
63%
37% of the respondents are followed approximately weekly but most of them, 63%, have never been followed. 12%
38%
HELP
Somebody got mad in the public transport, he began to pull me away, a man reacted
50%
12% of the female respondents are victims of physical harassment on a weekly basis, and 50% on an annually basis. Their answer is to avoid or not pay attention so that it does not get worse. 12%
Sometimes some random strangers want to kiss me. So I just walk by or tell them to walk away
HELP
62%
62% of the respondents are annually harassed, either oral harassment or physical harassment (whistles, shouting, slapped on the butt, or pushed ) 25%
HELP
75%
25 % have witnessed or experienced violence in the public space on an annually basis. It is quite safe generally in Sofia for women, but more street light and police patrols could help to avoid some incidents.
#WOMENABILITYSOFIA DATA FOR WWW.WOMENABILITY.ORG
I got hit on the head and robbed in front of my building. It was dark, no street lighting,
HELP
14%
of the women respondents would report to the police if they were victim of a crime.
ACTIVITIES
How can women enjoy their city to the fullest? Access to sports, nature, socializing attractive urban public space for women to take their share of their city?
PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS ➢ Create public projects with street artists. ➢ Refurbish the public toilets. ➢ Give more attention to public space to keep it clean.
#WOMENABILITYSOFIA DATA FOR WWW.WOMENABILITY.ORG
Enjoying your city 90% of the respondents feel there is a lot of nice green space. They like the parks and the omnipresence of trees in the city.
55% believe there are not enough or good enough sport facilities in the city.
90%
100% believe it is pleasant to shop in Sofia, as there are a lot of variety of shops (cheap and expensive).The only missing thing is 24/7 shops and pharmacies
55%
100% would like to access more public services, especially public toilets
state there is a variety of art facilities in the community. There are several theaters, cinema, galleries, not to mention the architectural heritage.
of respondents believe that female public workers are currently not in employment.
#WOMENABILITYSOFIA DATA FOR WWW.WOMENABILITY.ORG
90% agree that there are many socializing spaces in the community. They enjoy the quality of bars and restaurants that are also cheap.
We have a lot of nice places either to hang out with friends in parks, bars or theaters, or in diverse shops...
For a clean city
55% of the respondent think the town center is very clean, but lacks garbage cans and recycling litters.
45% lament that nobody clean after their pets.
City is nice and beautiful for families with small children
73% Men pee in public because there are not enough toilets in the street.
73% like graffitis in the streets but there are still too many ugly graffitis.
#WOMENABILITYSOFIA DATA FOR WWW.WOMENABILITY.ORG
Benches should be cleaned and bins emptied more often, this is not that difficult !
Feedback
PHOTO
The participants were very happy about their walk in the city, which took place in a very enthusiastic atmosphere. People admitted this walk gave them the opportunity of having a new image of their city, and made them look at everything from a different perspective. Firstly concerning their environment, they had to watch for details that normally do not get their attention like the smell or noise of Sofia. The participants also shared a common experience that led each of them to realize different things. For the men present, it helped them to be more conscious of the . For the majority, it was a very positive experience and they also admit they would have done it alone.
#WOMENABILITYSOFIA DATA FOR WWW.WOMENABILITY.ORG
I had fun ! I looked the city where I live from a different perspective. And it makes me think that may be some parks need to be
I have never really thought about how does the environment affects me In terms of smell or sight. I tried to around me
I do walk alone around the city center. I like walking and looking at people, ands seeing also how the city changes
About men 33%
PHOTO
Only of the men believe there is gender discrimination in public space.
100%
Understand better how women feel in public space.
100%
Feel concerned about the question of gender in public space.
100%
Will modify their behavior after the walk.
I will do my best to set an example and call out people who threat women unequally
#WOMENABILITYSOFIA DATA FOR WWW.WOMENABILITY.ORG
What can WE do ? What can women do? Stand up for themselves, know they are responsible for future change. And also have more self-esteem and do not be afraid to say no !
What can NGOs do? Raise awareness by developing more projects focusing on gender equality problems. And teach children gender equality and respect.
What can men do? Be more respectful. Also, try to put themselves into the position of women, and imagine what you can feel when someone is for example whistling at you.
What can the government do? Be aware that most of the population in Sofia is feminine. Hire women and people who feel concerned by those problems on higher position in Also, include gender equality as a topic in school programs.
#WOMENABILITYSOFIA DATA FOR WWW.WOMENABILITY.ORG
Special thanks to
Deiana Iva Deniz Kaloyan Cristina Adlen & George For organizing the walk with us!
PHOTOS
*Analysis written and edited by Womenability, with the precious help of Solenn Cordroc'h & Zoé Blanchot #WOMENABILITYSOFIA DATA FOR WWW.WOMENABILITY.ORG
KEEP IN TOUCH