Safe, but separate? Goa's new women-only areas stir debate

Creating women-only spaces in public places, like Goa’s recent gendered swim zones, may seem like a win for safety. But are these zones a real step forward – or just a convenient patch on a deeper, messier problem? We spoke to female travellers, vloggers, and tour curators to get their take on the gendered space debate, and the verdict is clear, the comfort they offer is real – but so is the discomfort of what they imply.


‘Goa used to feel safe. Not anymore’
Mural artist Shreya Goswami points to a decline in safety in once-popular tourist hotspots. “Goa’s condition has significantly worsened in the last six years... Public drinking, harassment, and weak coast guard presence make even quieter beaches unsafe.”




‘Safe spaces’ a sidestep from the real issue?
For many women, the problem with gendered zones isn’t the space – it’s the message. “The problem needs to be eradicated at its root by educating men,” says Aastha Maheshwari, travel vlogger. Creating designated “safe spaces” for women can feel like society is sidestepping the real issue. “What we, as women, truly yearn for is not to be cordoned off, but to move freely
and confidently in all public spaces,” says Medha Jaiswal, a teacher.

Relief, yes. But at what cost?
Some women do find temporary comfort in these spaces. Delhi-based fitness coach Riya Arora calls them a “tangible space where we can finally relax”. But that comfort can be misleading. “Such measures could become a superficial way for authorities to claim they’re doing something,” says Byanca, an avid traveller.

A win, but not the endgame
There’s no denying the emotional relief these zones can provide. Travel curator Tasneem Fakhri sees the value – especially in tourism, where women often request women-led accommodations and activities. “This welcome win should not become the default, says Tasneem. But she asks the question at the heart of it all, “If men are the problem, why do women have to restrict themselves?”