KUALA LUMPUR, 3 March 2026 (The Capital Post) — A significant proportion of Malaysian women report changing their daily routines and lifestyles because of safety concerns, far more than their counterparts in other major Southeast Asian cities, according to a new regional survey.
The consumer research firm Milieu Insight surveyed 3,000 women across six capitals — Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Bangkok, Hanoi, Jakarta and Manila — to assess how safety perceptions are influencing women’s lives. The findings underscore the profound impact that concerns about personal security have on women’s mobility, career choices and social participation.
In Malaysia, 82% of women say they have changed their behaviour or daily routines because of safety fears, the highest rate among the cities studied. In contrast, just 40% of women in Singapore reported making similar adjustments.
According to the report, women in Kuala Lumpur modify where they go, when they travel and how they present themselves as part of self-protective behaviour. The study highlights how safety concerns are not only about physical vulnerability but also about access to opportunities and personal freedom. 🇲🇾
Despite most respondents saying they generally feel safe, the scale of behavioural change was notable. About 13% of Malaysian women said they feel “somewhat unsafe” or “very unsafe” in everyday life — a minority, but a number that still affects how women engage in public, professional and social spaces.
The survey also found that nearly half of Malaysian women (49%) see safety concerns — such as commuting or working late — as one of the top three barriers to career advancement. This places physical safety directly in the context of economic opportunity and workplace participation.
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Online harassment remains another significant factor influencing behaviour. Around 47% of women surveyed in Malaysia reported experiencing some form of online harassment within the past year, adding yet another layer to safety-related behaviour changes.
When asked why women may not report incidents of harassment or violence, respondents cited reasons such as a belief that “nothing would be done” (37%), lack of knowledge about how to report (36%), fear of retaliation (35%) and concerns about not being believed (33%).
The study also compared perceptions across the region: Singapore topped the list for women reporting that they feel “very safe” in daily life, followed by Hanoi and Jakarta. In contrast, Manila and Kuala Lumpur were among the cities with the lowest rates of women feeling very safe.
Milieu Insight’s regional head noted that while many women adapt their routines to feel safe, this adaptive behavior should not be mistaken for true safety — “cities, employers and platforms can do more to create an ecosystem where women feel secure in daily life without self-imposed restrictions.” -The Capital Post
