Women and men experience different challenges when using public transport, with women facing more barriers due to gender roles and stereotypes. These barriers impact their mobility, limiting access to education, employment, and healthcare. The World Bank highlights the need for policies that address these issues to enhance women's mobility and contribute to economic growth.
The World Bank's 2024-30 gender strategy emphasizes holistic approaches to improve women's mobility. Suggestions include prioritizing road work near essential services and integrating transport subsidies into cash transfer programs for low-income women. Collaborations with universities could open more opportunities for women in STEM fields.
Efforts by the World Bank in various countries aim to improve women's participation in the transport sector. In Azerbaijan, job restrictions on women were repealed, while Turkey hosted interns in transport roles. Egypt is reinstating childcare centers within its railway system, and Morocco's Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system includes women-friendly infrastructure.
Projects in Senegal increased women's workforce participation from 6% to 43%, while Mozambique focuses on improving feeder roads. Pakistan's initiatives improve safety and access for girls, and India's maritime project enhances ferry services with increased female ridership.
In Ecuador, a metro project reduced harassment cases significantly while increasing women's workforce participation. Brazil offers free public transport for women experiencing domestic violence through the Cartão Move Mulher program.
The World Bank leads discussions on gender and transport through events, research, and partnerships with other organizations. The Women in Transport (WiT) network was launched to empower women across the sector globally.