A gendered view of mobility and transport: next steps and future directions

This paper applies a gendered lens on transport and mobility. It provides an overview of the literature from both the Global North and the Global South to discuss the issues and challenges affecting women’s unobstructed movement around the city, both historically and at present. It also draws from feminist theory to discuss why mobility patterns are characterised as ‘gendered’ and discusses how women’s transport needs are different from those of men, because of safety concerns, sociocultural norms and differential access to private means of transport. Additionally, the paper examines how transport needs may vary among different women, due to age, class or race/ethnicity. Lastly, the paper assesses the extent to which policy and practice in the Global North and Global South has responded to women’s needs and concerns, outlining some next steps and future directions.