Let's Lift the Curfew returns to highlight women's safety fears

As the clocks go back this autumn, This Girl Can is warning that the hidden curfew on women’s freedom to exercise after dark remains firmly in place.  

New research from our campaign reveals that more than half (55%) of women feel unsafe exercising outdoors alone after dark, compared to only a third (33%) of men.  

Women’s safety concerns have grown over recent years, with more than two thirds (69%) concerned about sexual harassment and intimidation when exercising outdoors after dark, compared with 60% in 2023.  

In a bid to change that, the Let’s Lift the Curfew movement is back for a fourth year, bringing together women, community groups, sports clubs, organisations and allies to raise awareness of the fears and barriers many women face at this time of year. 

Our director of marketing, Kate Dale, said the latest research shows there is still much work to do if we’re to drive meaningful change – not least eradicating the increasing amount of anti-women sentiment online.
 

The new research comes as Let's Lift the Curfew returns for a fourth year. 

Since it launched in 2023, thousands of women have mobilised around the movement to challenge the safety concerns that continue to shape women’s ability to be active in autumn and winter.  

This year, This Girl Can is again working with England Athletics and Good Gym to help clubs, community groups and individuals turn awareness into action by hosting walks, runs and other activities.  

Organisers can register their activity on a national map, helping women find opportunities near them, and access practical guidance on creating welcoming, inclusive and supportive experiences. 

Birmingham will also host a national showcase Let’s Lift the Curfew run on Thursday 26^. October.  

Taking place at The Malt House from 6-9pm, the evening will feature guest speakers including five-time Olympian Jo Pavey MBE and England Athletics CEO Chris Jones, before participants will start a series of staggered social runs from 6.30pm onwards.  

Jo said: "Women deserve the freedom to get out and be active all year round and to continue to enjoy the benefits it brings.  

"That’s why the Let’s Lift the Curfew campaign is so important. It’s great that it raises awareness of this issue and makes a call for action. 

"It’s encouraging that many women are clear about what would help them feel safer and these measures need to be addressed. 

"Of course, women naturally take precautions. But safety shouldn’t solely be about women altering their routine. Creating safer public spaces and environments for people to feel safer when exercising at whatever time is so necessary.   

"It’s also important to support communities that provide opportunities for people to exercise together. This Girl Can and England Athletics, through their RunTogether groups, provide such great opportunities for people to enjoy keeping active."
 

As a result, many women take extra precautions in autumn and winter, with one in three (34%) women who change their outdoor exercise routine or habits due to less daylight choosing to exercise earlier, 24% avoiding exercising alone and one in nine (11%) sharing their location with someone before heading out.  

Women are also over three times more likely than men to stop exercising outdoors entirely after dark (11% vs 3%). 

Personal safety is now becoming a greater barrier to exercise outdoors after dark than other common challenges for many women, with almost three in five (61%) of women agreeing that concerns about personal safety can be a bigger barrier to exercising outdoors than factors such as bad weather, lack of time or lack of motivation.