Sorry, Gents, These Places Are For Ladies Only! (And Its Better for Them)

England’s capital city, London, is seeing a rise in projects intended for women to meet and support each other – which supporters say encourage female entrepreneurs, fight solitude, and diversify public spaces.

The Older Women’s Co-Housing complex, for example, is the only co-housing community for older women in the country, according to 90-year-old Shirley Meredeen who helped establish the self-managed women’s space. Meredeen highlights that women are better off living closer to cities, as they get easier access to hospitals and shops and feel part of a community.

Another women-only space – Lady Lane – is proving that street markets don’t have to be male-dominated. Tower Hamlets Council, who run the project, have conducted research showing that around 90% of market traders in the area are male. But the council is aiming to change that: according to the organizers, Lady Lane is the first female-only street market in England.

“It’s a sisterhood,” says 30-year-old trader Amiira Ismail. “You get a lot from women helping you with ideas, networking – so it’s much better.”