The disappearance and subsequent discovery of the lifeless body of Agathe Hilairet, 28, in a woodland area of Vienne raises serious questions. Beyond the individual tragedy, the issue of women’s safety in public spaces resurfaces with intensity.
Agathe went out for a simple jog and never returned. Yet, she was familiar with the wooded trails of Vivonne, which she regularly traversed. However, even in familiar places, risks remain ever-present for women. According to the Ministry of the Interior, nearly 80% of women report having experienced harassment or assault in public places. This alarming statistic highlights a daily reality that is too often trivialized.
The extent of the phenomenon in France
The latest national data, notably from the High Council for Equality between Women and Men (HCE), confirm persistent insecurity. Moreover, in 2023, the HCE reminded that 58% of women alter their routes to avoid certain risky areas. This phenomenon, known as "spatial self-regulation," significantly reduces women’s freedom of movement and expression.
Héloïse Morel, a sociologist at CNRS, emphasizes: "The street is not neutral. It is traversed by power dynamics." Thus, from a young age, women adopt avoidance strategies, giving up certain fundamental freedoms. In practice, this constrained learning shapes their relationship with public space, limiting their choices and reinforcing invisible yet powerful inequalities.
The perceived insecurity is not uniform. It varies according to territories, ages, and socio-economic contexts. However, one constant remains: women often have to adapt, hide, or give up.
Public policies still insufficient
Since 2018, several government plans have attempted to improve women’s safety in public spaces. Thus, the law strengthening the fight against sexist and sexual violence introduced fines for street harassment, an innovation praised but whose application remains uneven.
However, experts point out structural flaws. Élodie Lemoine, a criminologist and member of the National Observatory on Violence Against Women, states: "Awareness campaigns are necessary, but they do not replace a real human presence on the ground." Moreover, she emphasizes that the effectiveness of such measures depends on continuous political will. Furthermore, a strong articulation between prevention, repression, and education is necessary.
In some pilot cities, experiments are emerging: alert buttons in public transport, enhanced lighting, dedicated mobile police units. However, these initiatives remain scattered, without a coherent national strategy.
The voice of grassroots associations
Many associations, such as Osez le Féminisme or Nous Toutes, are sounding the alarm. They criticize an approach still too focused on victim responsibility. They advocate instead for focusing on violence prevention. Amélie Dubois, spokesperson for Nous Toutes, laments that women are taught to avoid dangers. However, she points out that men are not taught not to be dangers.
In their latest report, these organizations call for a feminist urban planning. They propose concrete measures to improve public safety. For example, they suggest strengthening public lighting and ensuring safety in night transport. Additionally, they wish to develop real-time incident reporting applications. Moreover, they insist on including women’s perspectives in all urban planning projects.
Some municipalities, like Grenoble or Paris, are beginning to timidly integrate these recommendations, in consultation with residents. However, the necessary cultural change remains immense.
A gendered dimension of security
The death of Agathe Hilairet revives a collective awareness: safety is not experienced the same way depending on gender. Moreover, as Éric Fassin, a sociologist at Paris VIII, reminds us, "public space is often designed by and for men." Consequently, the feeling of insecurity is not a mere subjective impression but a deeply rooted social experience.
Historically, the city has been designed around male models, ignoring the specific needs of other population categories. Even today, the lack of safe public toilets and emergency shelters testifies to this structural inequality. Moreover, the lack of facilities designed for women also highlights this persistent problem.
The "gendered city" is not a theoretical notion. It has concrete effects on women’s paths, careers, and autonomy.
Towards a safer society?
In the face of tragedies like Agathe’s, the response cannot be purely security-based. It involves questioning social norms and educating for equality from a young age. Furthermore, it also requires inclusive urban policy to ensure equality.
Changing mentalities is a slow but necessary process. It involves deconstructing gender stereotypes and promoting mutual respect among all people. Moreover, it encourages diversity in all spaces to foster inclusion. Additionally, it requires thinking of public space as a shared and inclusive place for everyone. Thus, everyone, regardless of identity, can move freely and safely.
The road is still long. However, each tragic event reminds us of the urgency to evolve policies and social practices. Agathe Hilairet, passionate about running, had her whole life ahead of her. Her sudden disappearance forces us to take a clear-eyed look at the state of our society. Moreover, it underscores the urgency of rethinking the city and its uses.