Fear On Streets: The Vulnerable And Self-Protective Behaviour In Ibadan, Nigeria.

Abstract

This study specifically focuses on the safety issues of women (vulnerable) while on streets. It also examines whether there are differences in the perceptions of safety and the use of self-protective measures of women and men in a Nigerian urban environment. Working women and men who use public transport to commute to their work place were targeted. Systematic sampling was used to sample 243 women and men in Ibadan metropolitan area. Analysis of travel component revealed that women transport users felt safest while commuting (MS=3.77) when compare with walking (MS=2.16) and waiting (2.88).The most commonly used self-protective behaviour among women transport users was to avoid going out alone in the dark (MP=3.67) while the least was carrying self-protection devices. Findings were later compared with that of men and the results revealed that women had higher feeling of insecurity while walking, waiting and on transit. They also engage in all self-protective behaviours (except to carry self-protection devices) more than men. It is recommended that regular security inspection of streets, security education and refurbishment of streets to enhance the environmental factors that reduce fear will go a long way to making transit environments safer and more fitting to the needs of women.