German cities are offering vouchers or subsidies to ride taxis in the wake of widespread violence against women, reports Marilen Martin of Bloomberg.
“In 2023, crime against women rose in all categories, sexual offences surged by over 6%, reaching 52,330 reported cases nationwide.” Cities such as Mannheim and Munich (issuing more than 100,000 vouchers this year) are paying for women to board taxis when safety concerns are present.
“While such schemes have proven to be extremely popular with users, their effectiveness in changing the overall conditions remains a matter of discussion,” adds Martin. The policy addresses immediate concerns, but does not become a fundamental issue of violence. And not all women can afford the cost of long rides in external areas that the voucher doesn’t fully cover.
How can cities be made safer for women? “With the exception of more lighting and police patrols, it could also mean designing cities that revitalize inclusive and neglected public spaces. Putting diverse people on the streets at night at night will also raise awareness of safety.” Additionally, cities and transport can work to increase the representation of planners and designers and change the male-centric perspective of urban planning.
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