Conference Agenda

Purpose: Urban greenspaces support physical activity, mental wellbeing, and restorative health. However, women often experience lower access and engagement due to perceived social threats. Women also report lower physical activity, higher stress and sedentary behaviour, spend 24% more time in poor health than men, and face higher risks of poor mental health. These trends highlight a stark gender–health gap, emphasizing women as an at-risk group. This study examines how gendered perceptions of safety influence engagement in greenspaces integrating social psychology of gender and feminist urbanism into nature–health research. The findings identify barriers to health-enhancing physical activity.

Methods: Three experiments were conducted with residents in England (total n = 1,020; mean age 21–36). Participants viewed images and videos of park environments varying in vegetation density and potential threats, including animals and social hazards. Measures assessed perceived fear, risk, likelihood of visiting again. Data were analyzed with Analysis of Variance, Multivariate Analysis of Variance, contrast analyses, and interactions.

Results: Women consistently reported higher fear and perceived social risk than men, particularly in dense greenspaces. These perceptions reduced their likelihood of visiting again. Among danger types, social threats were the strongest predictors of reduced engagement.

Conclusions: The findings highlight a “nature disconnect” for women, limiting opportunities for physical activity and restorative experiences. Addressing gendered experiences is critical for equitable engagement in greenspaces. Design strategies (visibility, lighting, paths), alongside interventions to reduce harassment and shift cultural norms, are needed to improve health and health equity.