Day and Night

On a busy day at Leiden Central, the feeling of unsafety will not be as prominent, but once it gets darker and quieter, it becomes ominous very quickly. Women are taught that danger will strike especially at night, meaning it is important to focus on creating a safe space during those hours. Some spaces at the stations are dimly lit, have no camera security, or have very few people walking around. Some women, like the Italian women from the study, would completely avoid the station around this time. This doesn’t mean that nothing could happen during the day, but still... I have found myself doing the same, wanting to avoid any feeling of unsafety and insecurity. But how would women feel if the lighting was sufficient everywhere? Or if security personnel were present?