Who can move?

The flight and plight of Gender and Mobility in Urban India

*Why are footpaths, a mandatory infrastructure, designed as an afterthought to vehicles and commercial establishments? Photo by The Hindu*

The intersection of gender and movement in urban India reveals a complex and often overlooked aspect of city life, shaping experiences and opportunities for individuals across the spectrum. Transportation forms the backbone of daily life, enabling access to work, education, healthcare and social activities. However, the reality is that transportation systems often fail to address the diverse needs of women, men, and gender minorities equally. In this exploration of gender and movement in Urban India, we delve into the significance of transportation as not just a means of getting from point A to point B, but as a reflection of societal norms and a crucial factor in ensuring the freedom of movement and well being of all individuals.

As cities in India strive to evolve with carefully laid out vision plans, it is important to critically examine the role of transportation. It is not merely about constructing metros and widening roads; it is about creating systems that serve everyone equitably. The real challenge lies in ensuring that these developments are not just for the cities of the future but also meet the needs and concerns of the people today, especially those who rely heavily on public transportation. The question arises whether the policies governing public transportation in India genuinely consider the diverse needs of all citizens, or are they merely surface-level interventions made by decision-makers removed from the everyday realities of those most affected? The impact of transportation policies is felt by the populace, particularly those at the grassroots level. While there is momentum by different levels of government in addressing women’s safety in public transport, urban transport investments are largely gender blind with a limited understanding of the interrelationships between gender and transport inequities.

*A 2021 online survey across metropolitan areas found that almost 56 percent of the women who used public transport reported being sexually harassed*
*Photo by Shutterstock*

According to a World Bank report, more women (45%) walk to work in India than men (27%) because they do not have access to affordable transport¹. Women were willing to choose a college in the bottom half of the quality distribution over a college in the top 20%, for a commute that was perceived to be safer². This choice to use slower modes of transport is thus aggregated by several factors — safety and security considerations, dark and dingy subways and footover bridges force women to walk on heavy traffic roads instead of taking the subway, the need for flexibility to combine work trips with household chores, cultural disapproval, and lack of access to transport assets within the household. All these factors restrict their access to jobs located farther away and limit their job choices.

Movement patterns of women in cities are significantly different and unique to their needs while commuting as compared to men. Safety has been a paramount concern for women as they navigate public spaces, a priority less important for men. Women often travel during off-peak hours, frequently accompanied by children — dropping or picking them from school, undertaking multiple brief trips for household errands³. In contrast, men primarily commute for work, typically during peak hours,and undertake singular long journeys in the mornings and evenings. Studies suggest that men’s travel costs are 35% less than women’s⁴. This is because women combine several errands in multiple short trips and end up paying more for their daily travel — often referred to as the Pink Tax. With distinct travel patterns for women and men, public transport must be urgently redesigned to equally accommodate women’s preferences.

*Women’s Coach in the Delhi metro*
*Photo by Sonu Mehta – Hindustan Times via Getty Images*

Safe, reliable, and affordable public transport is essential for women’s mobility and is a crucial factor in their social and economic participation. Delhi’s Metro Rail Network stands out in this aspect, offering gender-sensitive mass transit with dedicated facilities for women passengers — like reserved seats; women CISF staff for frisking; CCTV surveillance at stations, etc. In 2021, some villages in the area started private buses to the Metro station. Young women who have to travel to and back from their colleges and offices benefitted the most from this.

*Private transport bodies threaten protest over Shakti scheme*
*Photo by PTI*

Other initiatives that show promise are Karnataka’s Shakti Scheme and Punjab’s free bus for women scheme, providing free travel for women on non-premium government buses. Since the scheme was launched, women made up more than half of Karnataka’s bus riders, prompting the state to request 5,600 additional buses. However, the dramatic rise in ridership both in Karnataka and Punjab, on government-run buses without an appropriate increase in the number of buses has resulted in severe overcrowding and clashes with conductors. Without improvements in the policy the benefits of such schemes may be short-lived.

The fate of public transport in India is in the hands of not only its policy makers but also its users. In order to create a safe space for women we must make sure our transport policies align with the interest and mobility requirements of all genders. Critical steps should be taken to reduce gender gap in mobility (steps)⁵. Addressing factors related to safe last mile and first mile connectivity, creating an interconnected network with surveillance, tracking and ticketing, and promoting the integration of women in the transport system are some ways to bridge this gap. Investing in an integrated and women-friendly transport system is not just about moving women; it’s about moving society forward.

– Written by Snehlaxmi Shekhawat, Senior Fellow

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