Seventy years ago, more than 20,000 South African women marched to the Union Buildings in protest against laws that restricted their freedom of movement. As the country marks that anniversary under the theme “Empowered Women Empower the Nation”, it raises a practical question: what do freedom of movement and economic participation look like for women today?
Women’s economic empowerment is usually discussed in terms of employment, pay, leadership and entrepreneurship. All matter. But women’s ability to participate is also shaped by the places where they work, learn and access essential services.
A job, course or business opportunity means less if accessing it requires moving through spaces that feel unsafe, such as car parks or building entrances. Building safety therefore belongs in the economic empowerment conversation.
Where the property sector can act
In November 2025, the National Disaster Management Centre classified gender-based violence and femicide as a national disaster. The property sector cannot solve this crisis. It can, however, reduce avoidable risks in the spaces it controls.
Safety does not begin and end at reception. It covers parking areas, entrances, lifts, stairwells, washrooms and routes to public transport. These spaces can feel very different after hours, when fewer people are around and help may be harder to find.
Cameras and access-control systems are not enough if a parking area is dark, a door remains broken or an incident report goes unanswered. Safe design matters, but so do maintenance and accountability.
Use building data to find blind spots
Building systems already produce information about access, occupancy, maintenance and security. Used well, that data can expose risks earlier and help teams respond more consistently.
MRI Software’s 2026 survey of 60 South African facilities management professionals found that 39.2% are prioritising visitor management software over the next 12 to 18 months. Better visitor management creates a clearer record of who entered the building, who authorised the visit and who is responsible when something goes wrong.
Footfall data may also reveal blind spots.Almost 80% of respondents have implemented, are planning or are interested in footfall-driven maintenance using IoT sensors.Although these tools are generally used for maintenance and space planning, aggregated movement patterns can show where activity falls away after hours or where a space warrants closer inspection.
Treat physical and digital security as one risk
As access control, building systems and visitor records become more connected, physical safety increasingly depends on cybersecurity.
The MRI research found that 51.7% of South African facilities managers regard cybersecurity as a high priority, yet only 5.3% conduct regular penetration testing. This suggests a gap between recognising the risk and testing whether connected infrastructure is adequately protected.
If an access-control system is compromised or visitor data is exposed, the consequences may extend beyond the digital environment. Physical and cyber risks need shared ownership, clear accountability and regular testing.
Measure whether conditions improve
Technology only improves safety when it leads to action. Property and facilities teams should track response times and identify repeat problem areas. Women must also have a direct voice in assessing the spaces they use. The most revealing question may be: where and when do women change their behaviour because they feel unsafe?
Seven decades after the Women’s March, freedom of movement remains central to women’s economic participation. No individual building can solve a national crisis. Every well-managed property can, however, remove avoidable risks and create an environment in which women can pursue work and education freely and with greater confidence.
Written by Omobolanle Adekola, Product Owner at MRI Software