Image: Georgi Kalaydzhiev on Usplash
Cymru Women’s Sport’s Chair, Leigh Robinson, reflects on the change of seasons and the campaign to ensure women are able to freely and safely exercise during the winter months.
It’s that time of year when thousands of women across Wales face a choice that men are far less likely to consider. As the clocks go back and the evenings draw in, the question is: "Do I go for my run, walk or cycle ride, or do I stay at home because I don't feel safe?" As Chair of Cymru Women’s Sport, I find it both frustrating and unacceptable that, in 2026, this remains a reality for so many women and girls.
The evidence is stark. As I’ve said before in this column, research from Sport England's This Girl Can campaign found that almost three-quarters (72%) of women in the UK change their outdoor activity routines during winter because of safety concerns. One in four women deliberately stick to well-lit routes, nearly a quarter avoid certain areas altogether and one in five regularly check behind them to make sure they are not being followed. The impact extends beyond participation levels.
“Physical activity should be a source of freedom, wellbeing and empowerment. Yet for many women, winter brings additional anxiety, route planning, risk assessments and difficult compromises.”
No woman should have to undertake a personal risk assessment simply to go for a jog.
The consequences are wider than sport. Reduced physical activity affects physical health, mental wellbeing and confidence. It limits access to the social connections that sport provides and reinforces inequalities that already exist in participation.
That is why Cymru Women’s Sport is proud to have supported the Own the Night campaign. Led by Welsh Athletics, Own the Night was created to shine a spotlight on women's safety while running during the darker winter months and to empower women to remain active throughout the year. The campaign recognises a fundamental truth that women should not have to avoid public spaces when daylight disappears. The campaign's objectives are simple. It seeks to raise awareness of women's safety concerns, empower women to continue exercising confidently, educate communities about allyship, and encourage collective action to reclaim public spaces.
“The research commissioned by This Girl Can also found that 60% of women are concerned about the risk of sexual harassment or intimidation when exercising outdoors after dark, while 48% say they do not like being active outside at night. ”
However, Own the Night is not just a campaign for women. It is a campaign for everyone. The 2026 theme, "Be The Light" places a particular emphasis on allyship and action, encouraging individuals, clubs, organisations and communities to consider how their behaviour can contribute to safer environments for women.
The focus on allyship is critical. Women's safety cannot be solved solely by asking women to take more precautions. The responsibility lies with all of us. Local authorities must consider lighting, road and footpath maintenance and active travel infrastructure. Sports organisations must prioritise safe and inclusive environments, particularly with well-lit access and car parks. Workplaces could offer more support to employees to be flexible in their working hours. In recognising that the winter months pose challenges for women, running clubs can organise group activities during darker months. And men can challenge inappropriate behaviour and recognise their role in creating safer public spaces.
“Cymru Women’s Sport is proud to have supported the Welsh Athletics ‘Own the Night’ campaign. ”
Across Wales, we are already seeing encouraging examples. Running clubs are hosting organised evening sessions. Police forces have partnered with community groups to support campaigns. Sports bodies are placing women's experiences and voices at the centre of safety conversations, and it is a priority for Cymru Women’s Sport.
But there is still much more to do. We need to stop normalising women's fear. When a woman decides not to run after work because it is dark, that is not a minor inconvenience. It is a lost opportunity for exercise, wellbeing and freedom. When women change routes, avoid parks or cut activities short because they feel unsafe, the issue is not their behaviour. The issue is the environment around them.
This winter, Cymru Women’s Sport will continue to champion the principle that every woman should be able to be active whenever and wherever she chooses. Achieving that goal is complex, requires action from many organisations and agencies and there are no easy solutions. But until every woman can step outside on a winter evening and exercise without fear, we have a responsibility to keep raising awareness, challenging barriers, and working collectively to make our communities safer for women and girls.