What needs to change for girls and women to feel safer?

Around one hundred people gathered at the Mediacollege in Amsterdam to address the ongoing issue of sexual harassment and violence against women and girls in public spaces. The event was part of Actie Aletta, a national initiative launched following the murder of a teenager, which aims to collect input from young people to influence government policy. Attendees discussed the daily safety concerns experienced by women, ranging from walking with keys in hand to sharing locations for protection.

During the discussion, behavioral scientist Danique de Jong suggested that bystanders can intervene with small actions like asking someone if they are okay. City Alderman Araya Sumter highlighted that the municipality has allocated six million euros to improve safety through better lighting and urban planning that considers women's needs. Minister Boekholt-O'Sullivan emphasized the importance of listening to youth perspectives during these sessions. Students present urged officials to take their firsthand experiences seriously, as they continue to navigate public spaces with caution and anxiety.