As a woman, every time I step out at night, I can't help but rethink my every move. There are 195 countries, around 10,000 cities, and countless villages in this world. Yet, not a single place can guarantee that a woman or girl will feel truly safe. It’s a reality that weighs heavily on my mind and heart, shaping how I live, where I go, and even when I decide to leave my home.

I remember one evening in India, walking home alone after dark. The street was eerily quiet, with only the dim glow of streetlights guiding my way. My heart pounded with every step, my senses heightened to every rustle in the bushes or distant sound of footsteps. The relief I felt upon reaching home safely was overwhelming—an achievement many women might understand. But that relief was tinged with frustration and anger. In a world where simply returning home unharmed feels like a victory, it’s clear that something is deeply wrong.

From a young age, women are taught how to behave—how to walk, talk, laugh, and dress. These teachings aren't just advice but survival tactics drilled into us by our mothers, grandmothers, and society at large. "Don’t stay out too late." "Don’t wear anything too revealing." "Always carry pepper spray." There’s always a list of rules, unspoken but deeply ingrained. These rules are not about protecting our dignity but about protecting our safety in a world that seems to constantly threaten it.

Yet, even when we follow these rules, stepping out to feel free and at peace, we’re reminded that the world is filled with predators, waiting to pounce. How can we ever truly feel safe when the very streets we walk on are seen as hunting grounds by those who seek to harm us?

I recently met a girl on a train. As we talked, it became clear that our stories were eerily similar. She shared her experience of sexual harassment, and it struck me how common this narrative is. It’s almost as if we all carry the same scar, etched into our lives in different ways. I recalled a day in 12th grade when I was speaking with a group of girls. One of them, with a voice trembling yet resolute, bravely shared how her own uncle had molested her. The shock and pain in the room were palpable, but what struck me even more was how this revelation triggered a cascade of similar stories. As if on cue, another girl revealed that her neighbor had done the same, yet he walked free, unscathed, while she was left to pick up the pieces of her shattered sense of safety.

These stories are not isolated incidents but rather a reflection of a widespread epidemic. Globally, an estimated 736 million women—almost one in three—have been subjected to physical and/or sexual violence. This staggering number doesn’t even account for sexual harassment, which remains grossly underreported. The unofficial statistics are likely much higher, hidden behind closed doors and silenced by fear. The fear of being blamed, the fear of not being believed, the fear of facing even more violence.

We march, we protest, we light candles in the hopes that change will come. But each time, the question remains: Why? Why must a woman constantly fear for her safety? Why does she have to endure those piercing stares, the lurking threats, and the constant need to defend her right to exist freely? Why, in a world that boasts progress and development, does this fundamental issue remain so persistent, so unresolved?

These questions are not just rhetorical; they demand answers. They demand action. The world we live in, with all its technological advancements and societal progress, has yet to address the most basic of human rights for women—the right to feel safe. It’s an indictment of our global society that in 2024, women still walk in fear, that we still have to calculate our moves and second-guess our decisions based on potential threats.

The truth is, these issues are deeply rooted in a culture that has, for too long, viewed women as lesser beings, as objects to be controlled, manipulated, and violated at will. This culture transcends borders, existing in different forms across the globe, from the bustling streets of New York to the quiet villages of India. It’s a culture that has allowed violence against women to thrive, unchecked and unpunished.

But the solution isn’t as simple as changing laws or increasing police presence. It’s about fundamentally shifting the way society views and treats women. It’s about dismantling the patriarchy that has perpetuated these injustices for centuries. It’s about educating the next generation to respect women not as objects, but as equals. It’s about creating a world where a woman can walk down the street at night without fearing for her life.

Yet, this change seems elusive, almost like a distant dream. Every day, new stories of violence and harassment emerge, each one a stark reminder that we have a long way to go. I think back to that train ride, to the girl who shared her story with me. We had bonded over our shared experiences, but what struck me most was her resilience, her determination to not let her past define her future. It’s a resilience I see in so many women, a strength that refuses to be crushed by the weight of the world’s injustices.

This resilience is what gives me hope. It’s what drives me to continue speaking out, to continue fighting for a world where women don’t have to live in fear. I refuse to accept that being a woman is a curse. I refuse to accept that we are destined to live in a world that doesn’t value our safety. We deserve better. We deserve to live normal lives, free from fear, like any other human being.

So, where do we go from here? How do we turn this narrative around? The answer lies in collective action. We must continue to raise our voices, to demand justice, to hold those in power accountable. We must support each other, share our stories, and refuse to be silenced. We must educate our sons and daughters to respect and value each other as equals.

But most importantly, we must never give up hope. Hope that one day, women will no longer have to live in fear. Hope that one day, we will live in a world where a woman can walk down the street at night and return home safely, without it being considered an achievement. Hope that one day, the countless stories of violence and harassment will be replaced by stories of empowerment and equality.

Until that day comes, I will continue to speak out. I will continue to fight. And I know that I am not alone. Together, we can create the change we so desperately need. Together, we can make the world a safer place for women everywhere.

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