Move Without Fear This Winter: Supporting Women’s Safety and Confidence to Be Active

2-MINUTE READ

Background

As the clocks go back and darker evenings draw in, many females start to change their routines — not because they want to, but because they don’t feel safe being outdoors after dark.

Research shows that 72% of females adapt their activity habits in winter due to safety concerns. Every year, women everywhere see their world get smaller — and that’s something we can all help change.

Did you know?

92% of women are worried about their safety when they run and 51% are afraid of being physically attacked (Adidas, With Women We Run).

Due to real fears about being attacked, followed or harassed while running, women are worried about their physical safety when being active outdoors... particularly during winter months or in the dark.

Many females are avoiding areas, adapting clothing, taking precautions or discarding physical activity altogether.

Women exercising in the dark are likely to have considered extensive safety considerations such as:

• Stopping running alone

• Running in areas that have higher traffic

• Knowing where the police stations are

• Always keeping their phone on

• Telling at least one person that they are going out for a run

• Carrying some form of weapon or being prepared to use keys

• Running only routes they know

• Deciding not to exercise outside

• Deciding not to exercise outside during winter months

• Avoiding using headphones

• Wearing clothing that aim to avoid male attention

• Using a safety system such as Strava beacon/live location

• Running slower to preserve energy to sprint just in case.

The effects of this leads to negative wider outcomes for women such as:

• Health inequalities

• Social connection

• Loss of autonomy

• Loss of representation.

Why Energize Got Involved

Active Partnerships, such as our ourselves, Get Berkshire Active and Yorkshire Sport Foundation, along with other organisations such at This Girl Can and Sport England, are raising awareness of the decrease in women's activity during the winter months and the reasons for this. 

Locally, we’re joining this call by bringing together key resources and information to help create safer, more inclusive opportunities for women to be active throughout the winter. 

This Girl Can’s Let's Lift The Curfew campaign shines a light on how fears about safety can limit women’s freedom to move. Together with GoodGym and England Athletics, thousands of women and allies across the country are taking to the streets, parks and trails to reclaim these spaces and support safer communities for all.

👉 Explore more:

• Get Berkshire Active Presentation provides insight on women’s safety, movement, and inclusion

• Yorkshire Sport Foundation share positive action happening in Wakefield 

• This Girl Can: Let’s Lift the Curfew national campaign 

The Impact

We want as many women as possible to feel safe outside to help stop the decrease of their activity levels. Because being active isn’t just about physical health — it’s about confidence, connection, and mental wellbeing.  Together, we can help every woman move without fear this winter.