How Safe Is Your Neighborhood? Iranian Women’s Perception of Safety and Security

Abstract

Safety and security are considered as basic human needs and fundamental rights. Women, who are among the most vulnerable groups, need more safety and security in neighborhoods. Using a conceptual model, this study explored factors contributing to women's perceptions of safety and security in their neighborhood. In the context of the North Salsabil neighborhood of Tehran (Iran’s capital city), a combination of both qualitative and quantitative methods was applied. The qualitative method was based on the responses of 20 women to semi-structured interview questions; the responses were analyzed applying content analysis. In the quantitative phase, stratified random sampling was used to contact the female participants (N = 200) aged 18 to 65 years old. The measurement instrument used was a questionnaire based on conceptual model indices. The results revealed that women's perception of security in the neighborhood was associated with three main factors: individual characteristics, local community features, and built environment characteristics.