Good design can go a long way in making public spaces more inclusive for women
ISLAMABAD: Women’s transport needs are distinct from those of men and they are poorly met by the current transport policy and provision. According to the UN, women often “chain” their activities by combining multiple stops and destinations within a single, longer trip as a result of their household and caretaking responsibilities. This makes it costlier for women to use public transport as they may have to pay for numerous single-fare, one-way tickets throughout a chained trip. Additionally, women may be traveling with children, elderly parents or while carrying groceries, adding complications and inconvenience if transport isn’t reliable, simple to use or physically accommodating.
In many cases women have more domestic responsibilities like taking care of children, running household errands and maintaining familial and community ties. Public transport has the potential to make employment opportunities, healthcare resources and education accessible to women. But due to poor planning women often do not have equal access to public transport, putting these resources out of reach and limiting financial autonomy. Sexual harassment and violence in stations and vehicles remain persistent problems for cities around the world. When women continually feel unsafe and lack the ability to report incidents, public transport ceases to be an equitable and accessible form of mobility.
Good design can go a long way in making public spaces more inclusive for women, but ensuring gender equity should also be a priority in the planning, procurement, operation, and evaluation of all modes of public transport.
Ishraq Ashraf
Published in The Express Tribune, April 7th, 2020.
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