Physical spaces translate from and to psychological and social spaces. Raised pulpits, thrones and roundtables reveal and reinforce differential power structures and hierarchies in societies. As with all cultural phenomenon, socialisation works to help internalise and maintain these exclusionary mechanisms for certain sections. The regulation and control of social and public spaces by dominant groups—rooted in gender or power asymmetries—has been a pervasive reality across the globe. This dynamic perpetuates the spatial exclusion of certain groups of women, relegating them not only in physical spaces but also within broader social, economic, and cultural spheres. Evidence of women's underrepresentation in critical domains of human existence—such as education, physical and mental health, and financial services—is consistently highlighted by statistics from both developing and developed regions of the world. Emerging fields like technology further underscore these structural asymmetries, with virtual spaces and services often replicating existing inequities. A significant number of women remain excluded from the benefits of virtual connectivity, limiting their access to opportunities in an increasingly digital landscape. Encouragingly, there is a growing multilevel awareness of these issues. Efforts range from grassroots organisations and rural Panchayats in India to international platforms, fostering discourse that sheds light on women’s systemic exclusion. Alongside this, legal provisions aimed at enhancing inclusion have gained traction. While social action remains irreplaceable, the establishment of robust legal frameworks is equally critical. Such scaffolding provides the necessary structure to develop metrics for evaluating progress toward gender parity and advancing broader inclusive practices.