The impact of the fear of crime on women’s quest for economic opportunities in Inanda Newtown A

Abstract

Fear of crime has negative effects on people’s lives, impacting on their ability to participate in activities important to their wellbeing. This study, which was conducted in Inanda Newtown, Durban, South Africa, to investigate first how fear of crime impacts women’s ability to participate meaningfully in economic activities and, secondly, what strategies women use to navigate safety everyday while attempting to pursue a better life. This was a qualitative case study of twelve women of different ages and education levels, and from varied occupations. Data was collected through individual interviews and focus group discussions, and a thematic analysis was used to interpret and analyse the data into the central findings. These findings were that there is ample evidence of the damaging impacts that these women experience as a result of their fear of crime. They are engulfed with feelings of powerlessness, vulnerability and entrapment within a circle of poverty, exposure to gender-based violence and precarious employment. They also suffer specific financial costs that entrench gender inequality. These impacts deny these women the rights guaranteed in the South African Constitution. The study found that participants have developed a range of strategies to preserve their safety while working towards their economic goals. These strategies include paying men to protect them on their journeys home, using ride hailing apps for greater protection, renting out businesses rather than running them, self-surveillance and avoidance. A strategy that they found most difficult to speak of was their recourse to transactional sex, a strategy that involved both a form of restricted agency and acknowledgement of vulnerability. While the research design did not aim to encompass action research, the study began to develop a sense of commonality amongst the group. This led into an intervention when one participant was exploited by local taxi owners. With the support of the whole group, a response was developed that led to a successful confrontation by the researcher and two participants with the taxi association. This was a demonstration of concerted action that challenged negativity and emboldened some to find more hopeful strategies. An implication of this study is the need to understand how the impacts of violence are amplified through fear of crime, in particular for women. This should inform policy and implementation at different levels.