MAKE PUBLIC SPACES SAFER

MAKE PUBLIC SPACES SAFER: How safe are public spaces in Rehoboth and for whom?Over two days in May, a group including police officers, social workers, Rehoboth Town Council members and local residents participated in safety audit walks in Block H of Rehoboth’s informal settlements.Communities, development partners, and local authorities often have limited capacity and almost no data to implement simple strategies that could make public spaces safer, especially for women and girls. Safety audits enable the generation of local lived experience data in communities.During the audits, participants explored critical questions such as "Which places in your community feel unsafe?""At what times of the day do you feel most vulnerable?" and "Which routes do you walk most often?"The two-day workshops served as a striking reminder of how crucial information-gathering not only pushes awareness but also fosters a strong call for action. They underscored how intentional, thoughtful community design can serve as a critical mechanism against crime, especially in protecting women’s right to move freely and safely. Walks were carried out across three distinct times of day: morning, afternoon and evening, in turn unveiling how perceptions and realities of safety shift with the light. Participants mapped out the flows of transport and mobility within and beyond the settlements while also documenting essential services like sanitation facilities.The absence of insight into the threats women face in public spaces doesn’t just hinder progress, it deepens vulnerability. These activities lay the groundwork for meaningful change, offering urgent, data-driven recommendations to shape communities where safety is a right, not a privilege.The project was spearheaded by GIZ Namibia in partnership with GIZ South Africa, Lesotho and eSwatini.PHOTOS: GIZ Namibia

MAKE PUBLIC SPACES SAFER

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Namibian Sun 2026-06-08

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MAKE PUBLIC SPACES SAFER

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Namibian Sun 2026-06-08

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