Title: Viajemos Seguras and Mejoramiento Barrial
Description: Gender- based violence in the public realm is an issue found in multiple nations which threatens societal development. With growing pressures to create more inclusive and equitable communities, countries and cities have begun to take concrete steps towards fighting violence against women. This master thesis analyzes the programmatic approach taken by the Mexico City government to fight gender based violence in the public realm. Particularly, it looked at how through the use of two programs, Viajemos Seguras and Programa Comunitario de Mejoramiento Barrial, the local officials have attempted to create safe experiences for female users. These programs relied on physical interventions such as women only subway cars and buses, reporting modules, installation of lighting and clearing obstacles and vegetation to create safer environments. Using user-based interviews and surveys, this thesis identified measures in which these two programs have been successful at increasing perceived safety. While the respondents recognized the temporality of these solutions, and the need to attack the societal roles and tendencies such as the Mexican machismo, the female users did feel more comfortable using the services provided through the programs.

In the end, despite the long road ahead the Mexico City government’s intentions and interventions are headed in the right direction.