SAFEST
PROVINCES

Our index is derived from an extensive survey and official South Africa Police reports, providing a unique insight into the safety landscape for women. It revealed that Limpopo is the safest province, with an overall safety rating of 91.11 out of 100. However, the precipitous decline becomes evident as the next safest province, Mpumalanga, has an overall safety score of only 68.58. North West and Northern Cape follow closely. Significantly lower scores are held by KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Gauteng, with 42,38, 37.81 and 37.65 respectively. Overall, the Western Cape emerged as the least safe province for women, with a safety score of just 37.47.

Our index revealed that Limpopo is the safest province, with an overall safety rating of 91.11 out of 100, followed by Mpumalanga, scoring 68.58, then North West and Northern Cape follow closely. Significantly lower scores are held by KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Gauteng. Overall, the Western Cape emerged as the least safe province for women, with a safety score of just 37.47.

This included survey insights from more than 6,000 female respondents highlighting perceptions of safety whilst doing various everyday actions, like walking alone during the day or night, driving alone, being at home alone, going out with friends, and also experiences of being a victim of crime. Respondents could provide responses that ranged from ‘completely safe’, ‘safe’, ‘neither safe nor unsafe’, ‘unsafe’ and ‘completely unsafe’.

Additionally, reported crime statistics per 100,000capita were considered within the Safest Provinces Index scoring. This included serious crimes (murders, sexual offences and rape), assaults with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm, car jackings, robberies at residential premises, property-related crimes, burglaries, and theft of motor vehicles.

Taking these data points into account, the province scoring the highest overall safety score is Limpopo, which emerged as the province where the female population felt the safest. They boast consistently high safety scores across all categories and reported the lowest number of annual crimes, including assault and murder.

While the NorthernCape and North West exhibit some areas of concern, with high crime figures forspecific categories of ‘Reported theft of motor vehicles’ and ‘Reportedburglaries,’ both provinces scored very well in the overall category of‘Feeling safe in the province.’ However, the EasternCape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Free State showed mixed safety performances across all categories. Gauteng follows closely behind, with most respondents feelingunsafe, especially in the ‘Walking alone at night’ category. The Western Cape emerged as the least safe province for women, scoring particularly low for the categories ‘Being homealone’ and ‘Going out with friends’ categories.

The survey delves further into women’s lives,exposing the vulnerabilities felt while performing basic and routine activities. A startling 98% express feeling unsafe when walking alone at night.Anxieties extend to the simple act of driving alone, where 77% of women admitto feeling unsafe. Even the prospect of going out with friends becomes tingedwith unease for 63% of respondents. The sanctity of one's home, typicallyconsidered a refuge, is shattered for 54% of women who feel unsafe being alonewithin its walls.

The South AfricanPolice Services 2023 Crime Report figures paint an equally disturbing pictureof vulnerability, with a staggering 68,191 sexual offences and rapes recorded,laying bare the threat women face in their everyday lives. Furthermore, 115,578residential burglaries were reported, underscoring the reason for distress andfear of invasion into one’s home. Additionally, an unsettling number of 45,462motor vehicle thefts and hijackings reveal how women have to deal with thedangers posed by the simple act of commuting. These statistics are starkreminders of the urgent need for intervention to address women's safetyconcerns.

Amid these findings,there is also insight into potential solutions. Women offer several suggestionsto make South Africa a safer place. The call for visible 24/7 police patrolsreflects a plea for increased security and a strong police presence to deterpotential offenders. Simultaneously, the demand for tighter legislation andharsher punishments for offenders underscores the need for a robust legalframework that serves effective justice for victims.

Free self-defence classes, improved streetlights, and surveillance cameras are all suggestions that empower women tonavigate their surroundings confidently. Many respondents' suggested safetystrategies include travelling with a partner, avoiding “dangerous places”,refraining from driving at night, and carrying self-defence tools like pepperspray, highlighting how women are adapting to a challenging environment.

The survey exposes the vulnerabilities women feel while performing basic and routine activities; 98% feel unsafe when walking alone at night, 77% when driving alone, 63% are uneasy going out with friends, even the sanctity of one's home, typically considered a refuge, is shattered for 54% of women who feel unsafe being home alone. The South African Police Services 2023 Crime Report figures paint an equally disturbing picture of vulnerability, with a staggering 68,191 sexual offences and rapes recorded, 115,578 residential burglaries reported and 45,462 motor vehicle thefts and hijackings. Amid these findings, there is also insight into potential solutions. Women offer several suggestions to make South Africa a safer place. The call for visible 24/7 police patrols reflect a plea for increased security and a strong police presence to deter potential offenders. Simultaneously, the demand for tighter legislation and harsher punishments for offenders underscores the need for a robust legal framework that serves effective justice for victims.