This domain falls under the vulnerable cluster which is represented by women, children, and the elderly. Vulnerability, which refers to the inability of people to cope with or adapt to the impact of multiple stressors is a common phenomenon among women and children. This is not a new area of concern because various authors and organisations have discussed the issues of vulnerability to different lengths and depths (see Desai & Mahadevia, 2018; UN-Habitat, 2015; Legacy et al, 2013). Issues under this domain relate to safety, protection, and access to services. Jagori (2009) argues that the city is not sensitive to gender issues especially those that relate to sexual abuse of women both in public and private spaces. South Africa, which is dubbed the ‘rape capital of the world’ cannot have a gender-inclusive city when issues of fear and safety stalk its streets.
It is against this background that the NDP Vision 2030 captures this perception by advocating that by 2030, people living in South Africa should feel safe at home, school, and work, and they should enjoy a community life free of fear, walk freely in the streets and the children should play safely outside. This acknowledgment by the government calls for an interrogation of the inclusivity of South African cities to women and children. Issues at stake under this domain relate to safety, protection, and access to space and services.
