Analyzing women’s security in public transportation in developing countries: a case study of Lahore City

Security concerns regarding women in developing nations are frequently highlighted due to the prevalence of harassment incidents, particularly within public transportation systems. In Pakistan, where women make up half of the population, this issue persists in various forms of harassment, both within local environments and public transportation systems. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the security challenges confronted by women within the public transportation system in the city of Lahore, Pssakistan. To achieve this, a user perception survey was designed to focus on women’s security during travel and relevant socioeconomic factors. The collected responses were analyzed using descriptive analysis and factor analysis methods. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) revealed five latent variables, each encapsulating distinct aspects of women’s security within public transportation environments. Later on, a structural model of comfort of using public transportation at night was developed using the results of the exploratory factor analysis. Our study’s results propose that although many women express feeling safe during their travels, a prominent number have experienced instances of harassment. Generally, issues such as insufficient lighting during night travel and a lack of awareness about harassment come out as primary concerns within Lahore’s currently operated public transport. The structural model results revealed that the latent variables of harassment, harassment reaction, bus stop station facility, and public transportation safety are significant predictors of comfort of using public transportation at night, being statistically significant (p < 0.05). The findings emphasize the initiatives to reduce overcrowding, improve nighttime lighting and infrastructure, and strengthen awareness among users, along with prevention measures against harassment. This approach assures the females’ physical security and enhances the overall well-being and empowerment of women in urban surroundings.