3 out of 5 women fear sexual harassment while exercising during dark evenings

It's feared the winter months in the UK may impose a perceived 'curfew' that deters women from outdoor exercise, leading them to feel 'anxious,' 'vulnerable,' and 'unsafe.'

With the clocks going back, many women are reporting stopping exercising outdoors over safety concerns:

• Almost half (46%) of women change their outdoor physical activity routine as a direct result of the darker months
• 48% of women do not like to get active outdoors after dark
• Six in 10 women are concerned about the risk of sexual harassment or intimidation when getting active outdoors in the dark
• 27% said it left them with feelings of sadness or frustration

The #LetsLiftTheCurfew campaign from 'This Girl Can, aims to shed light on these concerns and call for solutions so that women can exercise without fear.

Dark nights deters exercise

The campaign warns safety fears and the diminishing daylight hours cause a decline in women's participation in outdoor activities during the winter.

To raise awareness about these issues, women from various running groups gathered for a #LetsLiftTheCurfew run.

During the run a mobile advertising board displayed real quotes from women and striking graphics depicting women engaging in physical activities, emphasising the contrast between daylight and darkness.

Kate Dale, Director of Marketing at Sport England and This Girl Can said:

“As daylight hours diminish, many women are opting to stay indoors due to safety concerns, resulting in decreased physical activity levels. The impact of this on women's overall health and well-being is of massive concern and requires both attention and intervention.

“It’s not right that for nearly half the year, we feel we have fewer options to be active in the ways that work for us. And even if we go out despite these fears, it’s harder to get the joy, freedom and confidence that physical activity can bring if you’re constantly looking over your shoulder or monitoring your surroundings. It’s yet another emotional barrier, something else we have to manage if we want to build activity into our routines and lives.

“Fearing for our own safety should not have to stand in the way of enjoying a run, cycle or walk outside, or even getting to the gym or pool, but it’s a sad reality for so many of us. We must find ways to change this – and This Girl Can is committed to doing exactly that.

“Helping women feel safe when getting active is not a singular responsibility; we need everyone to engage with the issue. Our parliamentary roundtable will help to facilitate this, bringing parliamentarians, experts, academics and influencers together to discuss how we can make sport and physical activity feel and be safe for women, 12 months a year.”

#LetsLiftTheCurfew is part of This Girl Can’s mission to close the so-called "Enjoyment Gap".

2.4 million fewer women than men enjoy getting active, with the campaign aiming to make exercise "safe, suitable, social and self-affirming for women."

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