Reserve some compartments of public transport for women only, in order to avoid any possible aggression by ill-intentioned men. It is the proposal that some are putting forward in France, complete with a petition that seems to have more of a sense of provocation, considering that we are in 2025, but not entirely far-fetched, given that it is not the first and will not even be the last of this kind.
Until the system protects us, I see this idea as a temporary and necessary measure, at least to reduce risks. And to be honest, I don’t believe in the idea of re-educate aggressive men. It’s a nice theory, but it doesn’t work in reality.
Clear and direct words from Marie K., author of the petition, resident in Val-d’Oise who regularly takes the RER D. She suggests taking inspiration from what has been developed abroad and “launch a pilot project of carriages reserved for women and children on the RER and Transilien lines”.
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An idea that comes from the latest attack and attempted rape suffered by a girl on October 15th on a deserted RER C train, demonstrating once again how unsafe women are on public transport.
These trains would have clear and visible signage to identify these carriages, reads the petition, which also calls for “increased surveillance and security measures” in these women-only areas. And to “carry out an independent evaluation of the project involving passengers”.
Security is not a privilege, it is a fundamental rightwrites Marie K. Île-de-France can become the first territory in France to lead by example, making public transport a truly safe space for women. Women should not feel fear on any journey. They have the right to move in peace and safety.
The text then mentions the countries that have adopted the principle of “segregation” of female travelers to combat the multiple forms of violence and harassment perpetrated by men:
Everywhere, the results are clear: a greater sense of safety, greater trust in public transport and better protection for women and children.
IDFM prefers to generalize
Île-de-France Mobilités (IDFM), the authority responsible for transport in the region, says it has made the fight against insecurity one of its priorities. But it’s not about setting up separate carriages.
We have no plans to create carriages reserved for women, regardless of the mode of transport, IDFM responded.
All the new trains and subways (more than 1400 to date) that are now in construction they allow free movement from one end of the train to the other, thus avoiding isolation.
Can isolation really be a solution?
The idea of creating carriages reserved for women on public transport, unfortunately, seems to reflect a temporary and palliative response to a problem that goes far beyond the simple physical separation of passengers. It goes without saying that, although the implementation of similar measures may appear to be an immediate and tangible solution to guarantee the safety of women, it does not resolve the root causes of the phenomenon of violence and harassment.
In countries such as Japan, India and Germany, female-only carriages have been successful in offering greater safety and peace of mind to female passengers, but these solutions have also sparked debates about “segregation” and whether it represents a failure to create a culture of respect and equality. The reality is that physically isolating women is not enough to eliminate aggression; it is necessary, first of all, to intervene on a cultural and educational level, strengthening the laws against all forms of violence.
While the idea of a temporary measure may provide a sense of immediate protection, the real long-term solution remains in creating a system that, rather than segregation, makes every public space, including transport, safe and welcoming for all. Strengthening surveillance, education Not violence and stricter control of harassing behavior are interventions that could make a more lasting difference.
In short, rather than giving up on a joint trip, we must commit ourselves to ensuring that every traveler can feel safe on every route, without having to resort to physical separation.
HERE is the petition.
