case study
A recent case study conducted by Flone Initiative on women’s travel patterns in Nairobi, Kenya, shows that women use public transportation more often than men, and take more trips per day than men. Despite their dependence on public transport, a significant number of female commuters said that they either change their travel patterns or refuse to travel due to safety concerns. Threats and acts of sexual harassment are a constant challenge. Violence against women and girls, or the threat of violence both in private and public, remains a limiting factor to women’s mobility and engagement in the processes of development.
As Africa develops, it is imperative to create a safe, healthy, and accommodating public transportation system that can support the free and full movement of all. Flone Initiative believes that one of the essential ingredients to accomplishing this is facilitating the recruitment, retention and promotion of women as workers in the transportation industry at all levels (mechanics, conductors, drivers, owners, managers, investors etc.)
Secondly, another rapid assessment conducted by Flone Initiative in Nairobi Metropolitan area established that 57% of the women workers in the public transportation lost their jobs as a result of COVID-19. This is largely because they occupy informal positions that do not have job security as opposed to their male counterparts who occupy driving positions.
Flone Initiative seeks to increase the number of women drivers working in the informal public transportation sector, which is currently the main provider of public transportation in Kenya by enrolling women for a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) driving course.
By shifting the gender dynamics in this male-dominated sector, we will create a safer and more accessible public transportation system for all commuters, including women, children, the elderly and people living withdisabilities, while ensuring that women occupy formal positions in the public transport industry.