The initiative undertaken by Flone Initiative and Safetipin in Mombasa, Kenya, highlights a comprehensive approach to addressing safety concerns for women and vulnerable groups in public spaces. By utilizing the Safetipin App, which conducts Safety Audits based on nine parameters, including lighting, openness, visibility, crowd, security, walkpath, availability of public transport, gender diversity, and feeling, the project aims to gather large-scale data at the street level. This data is crucial for understanding the dynamics of safety and inclusivity in urban environments.
The partnership between Flone Initiative and Safetipin underscores the importance of community engagement and participatory data collection. By involving local stakeholders, including municipal authorities and police, the initiative seeks to effect change at the policy and infrastructure levels. The ultimate goal is to create safer and more inclusive public spaces by addressing both actual instances of violence and the fear of violence.
Moreover, the project recognizes the intersectional nature of safety concerns, considering factors such as religion, climate, transportation modes, and culture that impact women’s experiences in public spaces. By incorporating a gender-sensitive toolkit and supporting the development of Women in Transport (WIT) chapters, the initiative aims to address these complex issues holistically.
Overall, the collaboration between Flone Initiative and Safetipin exemplifies a multifaceted approach to building safer cities. By leveraging technology, community participation, and strategic partnerships, the initiative holds promise for creating tangible improvements in the safety and inclusivity of public spaces for women and vulnerable groups in Mombasa and beyond.
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