The Invisibility of Women: A Systemic Issue in Society and Public Space

The invisibility of women is not a recent phenomenon. For centuries, women’s discoveries have been minimized, their achievements overlooked, and their names gradually erased from official narratives. Their presence remains largely underrepresented in public monuments, history books, and collective memory.

This historical legacy continues to shape modern societies and contributes to persistent gender inequality. Even today, the invisibility of women can be observed in the design of public space and urban infrastructure that does not fully account for women’s needs.

Understanding the mechanisms behind the invisibility of women helps us rethink how society is structured — from culture and institutions to urban planning and public policies.

In this article, we explore how this phenomenon appears in everyday life and what can be done to address it.

What Is the Invisibility of Women?

The invisibility of women refers to a social process through which women’s contributions, needs, and experiences are overlooked or undervalued.

Women have not literally disappeared from society. Instead, their voices, ideas, and achievements are often made less visible, less recognized, or less influential.

This can take many forms:

• women’s discoveries forgotten or minimized
• ideas attributed to male colleagues
• limited representation in public narratives and leadership positions

The result is a persistent form of gender inequality that shapes how society functions.

Historical and Cultural Origins

To understand the invisibility of women, it is necessary to look at the historical organization of society.

For centuries, social roles were divided into two spheres:

• the private sphere, associated with women and domestic responsibilities
• the public sphere, including politics, science, and power, largely reserved for men

As a result, historical records and institutions have mostly highlighted male figures.

This dynamic is sometimes referred to as the Matilda Effect, a concept describing how women’s scientific achievements are often attributed to men. The term was introduced in the 19th century by activist Matilda Joslyn Gage.

However, the invisibility of women extends far beyond science.

Examples include:

• museums displaying relatively few works created by women
• media giving women less speaking time or expert recognition
• very few streets or monuments named after women
• male-dominated historical narratives

These patterns contribute to everyday sexism and structural discrimination.

Conscious and Unconscious Forms of Invisibility

The invisibility of women is not always deliberate. Over time, certain behaviors have become normalized.

Examples include:

• interrupting women more frequently during meetings
• repeating a woman’s idea and receiving the credit for it
• assuming that expertise is more likely to come from men

These behaviors reinforce existing gender inequality and maintain systems of discrimination in professional and social environments.

The Invisibility of Women in Public Space

The invisibility of women does not exist only in cultural narratives. It is also visible in the way public space is designed and organized.

Although women are present in cities, they do not experience public space in the same way as men. Their freedom of movement and comfort can be affected by urban design choices.

This is why urban planning plays a crucial role in promoting gender equality.

Urban Planning Historically Designed Without Women

Women often use cities differently from men.

Their daily mobility patterns are frequently linked to:

• accompanying children or elderly relatives
• running errands and household tasks
• commuting between multiple destinations

Instead of a simple commute between home and work, women’s routes often follow a zigzag pattern: school, work, shops, activities, and back home.

These trips may involve strollers, shopping bags, or supporting dependents.

Because traditional urban planning was not designed with these patterns in mind, women’s mobility can become more complex and less comfortable.

Mobility, Safety, and Comfort in Cities

Another important factor affecting women’s relationship with public space is safety.

Many women adjust their behavior in cities by:

• avoiding certain areas
• changing routes
• traveling at specific times of day

When a significant portion of the population must constantly adapt to feel safe, public space cannot truly be considered inclusive.

Urban environments should therefore be evaluated not only for efficiency but also for who uses them and under what conditions.

Lack of Public Facilities Adapted to Women

The invisibility of women in public space also appears in infrastructure choices.

Many public facilities are designed as if they were neutral and equally usable by everyone. In practice, however, usage patterns differ.

For example:

• urban sports facilities often prioritize football fields or stadiums used primarily by men
• sidewalks may be too narrow for strollers or people carrying loads
• lighting and signage may not adequately support safe mobility

When urban design fails to consider diverse experiences, it can unintentionally reinforce gender inequality.

The Invisibility of Women’s Physiological Needs

Another dimension of the invisibility of women relates to women’s physiological needs.

Urban infrastructure often overlooks these realities, creating additional barriers for women in public space.

Access to Toilets and Sanitary Facilities

Public toilets provide a clear example of this issue.

Women frequently experience:

• longer waiting lines
• fewer available stalls
• limited facilities adapted to their needs

Cities that fail to account for factors such as menstruation, pregnancy, or childcare responsibilities create environments that are less accessible for women.

Health and Everyday Consequences

Limited access to public toilets can have real consequences.

Without adequate sanitary facilities, women may:

• limit their time in public places
• reduce their travel
• avoid drinking water or hold their urine, which can affect health

Considering women’s physiological needs in urban infrastructure is therefore a matter of social justice.

Invisibility of Women and Social Inequality

The invisibility of women does not affect everyone equally.

Gender inequality often intersects with other social factors such as:

• income level
• disability
• age
• family responsibilities

Double Discrimination and Vulnerable Groups

Some women experience multiple forms of discrimination simultaneously.

For example, women living with disabilities, elderly women, or women in precarious economic situations may face additional barriers in public space.

This can lead to:

• reduced mobility
• limited access to services
• stronger feelings of social exclusion

When urban planning ignores this diversity, it tends to favor people who already fit dominant norms.

Economic and Social Impacts

Reduced mobility also means fewer opportunities.

When transportation is complicated or unsafe, access to employment and social activities becomes more difficult.

For many women, accepting a job requires considering:

• transportation options
• working hours
• the ability to balance work and family responsibilities

Over time, these constraints can affect financial independence and participation in collective life.

Making Women Visible in Public Space

Cities evolve according to political priorities and social awareness.

Addressing the invisibility of women requires a more inclusive approach to urban development.

Understanding How Public Space Is Really Used

Before designing new neighborhoods or infrastructures, it is essential to understand how spaces are actually used.

This means listening to both women and men, observing daily practices, and testing new design solutions.

Inclusive urban planning begins with listening to the experiences of those who use the city every day.

Inclusive Public Policies

Public policies should systematically evaluate how decisions affect different groups, including:

• women
• elderly people
• people with disabilities

Anticipating overlooked needs helps create cities that promote gender equality and social justice.

The Role of Local Authorities

Local governments play a key role in shaping public facilities and urban infrastructure.

Municipalities can actively address the invisibility of women by implementing practical solutions that improve equality in public space.

madamePee’s Commitment to Addressing the Invisibility of Women

At madamePee, we started from a simple observation: access to toilets in public space is not equal.

At events, women wait on average 36 times longer than men to use the restroom, while men often have immediate access to urinals.

This inequality has long been normalized, but it does not have to remain that way.

Practical Solutions for Public Space

Our female urinal was designed specifically to address this issue.

Developed using user feedback and tested by women, it aims to reduce waiting times while preserving comfort and privacy.

We promote a simple principle:

For every male urinal, there should be a female urinal.

Balancing sanitary public facilities is an essential step toward gender equality.

An Ecological Innovation That Saves Water

madamePee’s female urinals operate without water, saving thousands of liters every year while reducing the environmental impact of sanitation infrastructure.

Because promoting gender equality can also contribute to environmental sustainability.

Advocacy and Awareness

Beyond providing practical solutions, we advocate for greater recognition of women’s needs in public infrastructure.

Male urinals have existed for more than two centuries. It is time for their female equivalent to take its place in cities and events.

Recognizing women’s needs is not a detail — it is an essential step toward social justice and more inclusive public spaces.

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