High Volume Transport

Vital transport research to ensure accessible, affordable and climate friendly transport for all.

Reimagining Public Transport: A Gender-Responsive Approach to Mobility

By Kalpana Viswanath

As we move into the UN Decade of Sustainable Transport from January 2026, it is crucial to keep inclusion and gender equity front and centre . We cannot accept a world where nearly 50% of the population do not have a life of equity and dignity. Addressing the gender responsiveness of transport and mobility systems will also have an impact on meeting targets of at least four Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Gender inequality in transport infrastructure and planning results in different experiences of public life and public spaces for women and other excluded groups. It has an impact on their access to education, employment, social opportunities and eventually on their wellbeing. Women and girls are painfully aware of this reality, though it is starker for some. Robust research and credible data are needed to ensure that this situation is addressed by a wide range of stakeholders, particularly all policy makers.

In most countries, women tend to be more reliant on public transport and walking than men (often out of necessity), who make more trips by private transport. Making public transport more efficient, affordable, convenient, and safe is therefore a crucial step towards enhancing women’s access to opportunities and their ‘right to the city’. Research has established that women move differently in cities due to the unequal burden of care work. The “mobility of care” has meant that women often make more frequent, shorter trips throughout the day.

Further, women are more likely to experience violence and sexual harassment while waiting for and using public transport. A study in India showed that 56% of women reported facing sexual harassment in public spaces and on public transport (ORF 2020); over 88% of university students reported being sexually harassed in Tanzania (Mosha et al 2022) and 80% of women in Cairo reported sexual harassment in public spaces (UN Women 2022). In addition, inadequate infrastructure, such as badly lit streets and bus stops, and unsafe pavements also impede mobility.

Data collected by Safetipin in cities across India showed that the most common spaces in which women face sexual harassment are on the street and on public transport, which they need to access daily. Women also reported that they did not get support from bystanders and transport staff and had to deal with any incident on their own. Young women gave us the insight that some families find it easier to prevent girls from going out, in the name of protection. To address this in, one city young women and local NGOs developed a campaign labelled “I Will Go Out,” where they went out in small groups to engage the public on their right to access the city at all times.

The research studies in Africa and South Asia under the High-Volume Transport Programme have contributed to this need for credible data. The studies have spanned a wide range of issues linked to inclusion, accessibility, affordability and greening the transport sector. From India, the research has highlighted how gender disaggregated data is useful for transport planning and explores how technology and digital tools can help women plan their trips for convenience and safety.

Another piece of research looked at the impact of heat on women’s mobility, especially caregivers of young children, with a focus on schools. The research carefully documented the impact on children and parents and co-produced a set of recommendations for policy makers, school authorities and at the individual level.

In Africa, the programme supported research into experience of sexual harassment in Nigeria as well as in Malawi and Rwanda, to help create actionable mobility plans in two cities. It also led to the development of a digital tool, the SHE-CAN tool, to help policy makers understand the experience of sexual harassment and the personal security concerns of women.

Economic mobility is a key dimension of gendered mobility. The ability to access jobs, markets, and resources can significantly affect socio-economic status. For women, economic empowerment through mobility can be transformative. Women who can freely travel to work or educational institutions, access markets, or engage in political and civic activities often experience greater economic independence and decision-making power.

We need to build in gender responsive strategies and collect robust data on a regular basis. There are five key areas that need change to bring us closer to gender inclusion:

  1. Improved transportation infrastructure: Public transportation systems must be designed to meet the needs of all users, particularly women. Investing in safe, accessible, and affordable public transport can reduce the gender gap in mobility. Additionally, integrating lighting in public transport hubs, creating more direct routes, and ensuring affordable fares can help women move more freely and safely.
  2. Gender-sensitive urban planning: Urban planning must consider the mobility needs of all genders. For example, cities can design pedestrian-friendly spaces and local infrastructure that reduce the need for long commutes, making it easier for women to access essential services, including healthcare, education, and markets. Additionally, building affordable housing close to workplaces or transportation hubs can improve women’s access to economic opportunities and reduce time spent on daily commuting. Further, the impact of climate change also needs to be taken into account.
  3. Recognising and planning for care work: The mobility of care—whether travelling to medical appointments, transporting children to school or seeking out community services—places an additional burden on women’s time and resources, further constraining their opportunities. Acknowledging the importance of care work in discussions of mobility is crucial for designing policies that support caregivers, such as flexible working hours, accessible healthcare, and transportation options that accommodate caregiving needs.
  4. Focus on prevention of sexual harassment: It is crucial to directly address the issue of sexual harassment and gender-based violence in public spaces and transport. This can be through stronger legal frameworks, reporting mechanisms and standard operating procedures for different institutions. Further there should be training programmes for all transport workers to understand the problem and their role in supporting women. And finally, public awareness campaigns that emphasize zero tolerance of gender-based violence should be developed using different media.
  5. Technology as an enabler: Technology – and digital tools – can play a role in reducing the gender gap. It should not be seen as a silver bullet but can enable. It can be used to help in planning journeys, provide real-time information and collect data. However, to fully leverage technology, it is essential to address the digital divide, ensuring women have equal access to the internet, digital literacy training, and affordable technology. By bridging these gaps, technology can become a powerful tool to dismantle barriers to gender equality.