Transport infrastructure and services often fail to account for the distinct traveling patterns and mobility needs of women. A notable example is the underfunding of lighting at bus stops, which neglects the safety concerns of women traveling at night.
Research from both developed and developing countries highlights distinct differences in how men and women travel and access public spaces. Women typically walk longer distances, make more frequent, shorter trips with multiple stops, and often travel with children or elderly relatives. They are also more reliant on public transport compared to men, who tend to follow more direct, linear travel patterns often centered around work commutes.
Despite these differences, transport infrastructure is predominantly designed to meet the needs of commuters traveling directly from home to work and back, a model that primarily benefits male commuters. This approach overlooks the diverse mobility needs of women. The lack of gender consideration in transport planning and design is a longstanding issue, with public investments often focusing on efficiency rather than equitable access.
The decision-making process in transport policy and investment often prioritizes cost-benefit analyses, neglecting important factors like equitable access. A predominantly male workforce in the transport sector compounds this issue, leading to a lack of understanding and representation of women’s mobility needs.
Incorporating gender-informed policies in transport planning offers numerous benefits, including advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. Moreover, women typically have more sustainable mobility habits, such as using public transport, cycling, and walking, which are crucial for a low-carbon future.
Neglecting the gender dimension in transport can hinder economic growth and equity, restricting women’s access to education, skills, healthcare, markets, and employment opportunities. One major constraint is the lack of evidence and data demonstrating the impact of gender on transport infrastructure.
Several groups and initiatives have emerged to address the gender bias in transport policymaking. The World Bank’s IeConnect for Impact program, for instance, aims to close the gap in data and evidence regarding gender impacts on transport infrastructure. Additionally, initiatives like Sustainable Mobility for All (SuM4All), the World Bank Transport Global Practice Gender Task Force, and the International Transport Forum (ITF) Gender Working Group are working to understand and address these issues.
SuM4All, established in 2018, brought together 18 international organizations and companies to explore the nexus between transport and gender. They compiled a set of gender-responsive policy instruments from around the world and are currently piloting these measures in South Africa.
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