[gaia carnevalini]

Women are the most representative gender among users of public transport in Europe and also in the specific case of Ancona. Women have different trip characteristics and then different necessities.

The JRC Science for Policy Report from the European Commission compiles a series of statistics from previous studies in the report “Women in European transport with a focus on Research and Innovation” and the principal emerging facts are the following: on the one hand, women undertake more trips per day, travel shorter distances and spend less time per day on travel than men. On the other hand, women tend to have more non-work-related trips (such as for leisure, shopping, health issue, visits to relatives, etc) and travel more often on off-peak hours.

These facts reinforce the idea women are disproportionately burdened with household maintenance and child-care responsibilities. But also, women aim at having a different view in terms of sustainability: women walk more for leisure, for exercise and for fun in general. Furthermore, women have different attitude toward environmental issues and reduction of car use with a positive approach to public transport.

Having in mind that women are more propense to use public transport, would not be obvious to focus the service on their needs? Unfortunately, the industry of transport is not being thought for the female gender, who barely reach a 22% of all workers are women, that has directly implications on how the transport systems are designed and operated.

During the activities carried out for DIGNITY Ancona Pilot, especially during the development of the Customer Journey Mapping (for more information see the latest posts on Ancona Pilot group page) women indicated the lack of comfort at the moment of moving in public transport, principally when they have to move with bags or kids, and they also indicated a higher concern about the safety, especially when they must travel alone or in the evening.
We can see there is a claiming need for influence policies toward the female needs and habits in terms of mobility. This does not only go for the provision of the service but also for the planning and design.

We can see there is a claiming need for influence policies toward the female needs and habits in terms of mobility. This does not only go for the provision of the service but also for the planning and design.
In this context, the Women Mobilize Women Group (for more information have a look at https://womenmobilize.org/), from the Transformative Urban Mobility Initiative (TUMI) presented a campaign with 5 principles to empower women in transportation:

1. Study and understand women’s mobility: by collecting specific women’s trip related data and ensuring the engagement of women all along the planning and policy process.
2. Develop inclusive mobility services: which consider female travel patterns, ensuring safety for soft mobility trips, fare integration in public transport system, ensuring barrier-free access to public transport without steps and with level boarding, providing clean hygienic services.

3. Ensure women’s security in transport systems: recognizing sexual harassment and gender-based violence as criminal offenses.

4. Empower women in the transport sector: recruiting females and ensuring their retention through good working conditions.

5. Create awareness and stimulate behavioural change: using campaigns and social media to encourage a culture of zero tolerance against harassment and misbehaviour towards women or conducting education programs.

In conclusion, the needs of vulnerable-to-exclusion groups, especially for women, must be taken in consideration from different points of view, particularly from their own experiences, as they will be the ones who will make use of public transport services. In this way we could give support to women community and help them to overcome gender-related problems of today’s society.

What do you think about this topic? How much worth do you give to female gender issue? Do you reckon that one day women will gain the same rights as men? We are sure that it’s the right time. We live in a society where women are making steps forwards, fighting for their rights and self-independence. We could all make something to lend women a hand, for example starting from improving public transport on their necessities.

We are looking forward to reading your ideas! Share them with us in this community!