Two years of work by the HVT EMPOWER consortium culminates today with the launch in Lagos, Nigeria, of a tool designed to tackle sexual harassment on public transport in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The EMPOWER project’s SHE-CAN tool specifically addresses the causes of sexual harassment and aims to build the capacity of transport professionals to improve the personal security of their female passengers.
New data gathered during EMPOWER’s research combines vital information on the extent of sexual harassment with evidence from two sub-Saharan cities, Lagos, Nigeria and Blantyre, Malawi to fill knowledge gaps and to assist in the delivery of safe and inclusive transport. Drawing on good practices from around the world it offers examples of ways to improve women’s safety and recommends interventions tailored to the individual organisations using the tool. Resources are available for all stakeholders to conduct their own research to enable them to take action appropriate to their own location.
The tool is launched today by Lagos State First Lady, Dr (Mrs) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu at a two-day project conference showcasing key insights from EMPOWER’s research and illustrating how the SHE-CAN tool can influence positive action from transport decision-makers.
Joining Lagos State First Lady, Dr (Mrs) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu is HVT’s Regional Director for Africa, Bernard Obika, EMPOWER Team Leader Paul Curtis; Engr (Mrs) Abimbola Akinajo, and Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) as well as international partners, research consultants and communications specialists.
Part of the conference will include a site visit to the Ikeja bus terminal and a tour of neighbouring infrastructure improvements to enable delegates to better understand the settings in which the SHE-CAN TOOL can be applied to drive forward change.