Access of Women to Public Spaces: Socio-Cultural Impact on Their Identity and Dignity

This study explores the socio-cultural implications of women’s access—or lack thereof—to public spaces in India, particularly focusing on how it influences their identity and dignity. Drawing from a comparative analysis of urban and rural contexts in and around Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, the paper highlights that both infrastructure and gender norms severely constrain women’s mobility, safety, and autonomy. Through mixed methods—including a survey of 300 respondents—the study reveals stark urban-rural disparities in access to public infrastructure (transport, lighting, roads), personal security, and socio-cultural freedom. Despite urban women having better physical infrastructure, issues like harassment and male-dominated governance persist. Conversely, rural women face higher rates of sexual violence and more stringent patriarchal control, often at the cost of education and employment. Findings underscore that the denial of safe and inclusive public space erodes women’s self-worth and restricts their public identities, reinforcing dependence and invisibility. The paper calls for integrated reforms—both infrastructural and cultural—to ensure that public spaces affirm women’s dignity and enable them to function as equal citizens in Indian society.