'Let’s Lift the Curfew' Movement Returns as Women’s Safety Fears Grow

More than half of women in the UK feel unsafe exercising outdoors alone after dark, according to new research from This Girl Can, as its Let’s Lift the Curfew movement returns for a fourth year.

The research found 55% of women feel unsafe exercising alone outside after dark, compared with 33% of men. Concern about harassment and intimidation has grown, with 69% of women worried about it when exercising outdoors after dark, up from 60% in 2023. Two thirds (67%) of women believe rising online misogyny is making them feel less safe, while nearly half of men (47%) admit they underestimate women’s safety concerns.

“Every year when the clocks go back, countless women find their worlds getting smaller, and many change or step away from exercise altogether because of fear,” said Kate Dale, This Girl Can’s director of marketing.

The effect on activity levels is significant. This Girl Can’s earlier research found 72% of women change their outdoor exercise routines in winter, and there are half a million fewer active women than men in England.

Since its launch in 2023, Let’s Lift the Curfew has grown into a nationwide movement and, last year, more than 13,000 people took part in over 390 activities across the country. This Girl Can is again working with England Athletics and GoodGym to encourage running clubs, community groups, leisure providers, workplaces and groups of friends to host walks, runs and other activities. Clubs don’t need to be affiliated to England Athletics to take part.

Activities can be registered on a national map, so women can find sessions near them, and organisers also get access to a guide on creating welcoming, inclusive sessions, along with free social media assets to promote them.

Five-time Olympian Jo Pavey said safety shouldn’t come down to women changing their routines, and called for safer public spaces. She also highlighted the role of community groups: “It’s also important to support communities that provide opportunities for people to exercise together,” she said.

And this is where clubs and groups can make a real difference: a club run on a Tuesday evening, a walking group or a session with familiar faces gives people company, a set route and an assurance to be able to keep going through the darker months. Clubs can’t remove the wider safety concerns behind the campaign, but they can make sure fewer women have to make the difficult choice between exercising alone or not at all.

Clubs and groups can register a Let’s Lift the Curfew activity through England Athletics: https://www.englandathletics.org/news/sign-your-club-or-running-group-up-for-lets-lift-the-curfew-2026/

More information on the campaign is available from This Girl Can: https://www.thisgirlcan.co.uk/campaign-hub/resources/campaign-highlights-and-toolkits/lets-lift-curfew