No space for gender sensitive mobility planning in CMP/ HT
neetu routela
3.10.19
No space for gender sensitive mobility planning in CMP
https://epaper.hindustantimes.com/Home/MShareArticle?OrgId=75b3202c
Safety in transit A gender-neutral mobility plan is gender-blind as realities of women in India is different from that of men. CMP must recognize this need and prioritise it in its planning
Kalpana Viswanath
There has been much discussion in the past week over the Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) prepared by the Gurugram Metrpolitan Development Authority (GMDA). It has been looked at from different perspectives and critiqued, but seldom from the gender dimension which is an important facet of mobility.
There is now enough research globally that shows the difference between how men and women move around in cities. To begin with, the overall mobility of urban Indian women is quite low. The 2011 census showed that only 1 in 5 women worked outside their home in urban India. Further, this number is seen to be declining, which goes against the global trend of increased participation of women in the workforce. A study by McKinsey states that if women were to participate equally in the labour force in India, up to $28 trillion could be added to the economy by 2025.
One key finding of global research on varied gender mobility has been that a large number of women conduct many trips within a single trip—this is called trip chaining. This may include dropping children to the school on their way to work or dropping by the market on their way home, and other such activities. The truth is that in most of the world, and certainly in India, women still do the majority work of care giving. Thus, across classes, even among women who work outside their home, they continue to carry the heavier burden of domestic work and of giving care, be it to the young or elderly. Indian women do nearly 6 hours of housework in a day, whereas men do less than one hour, showed a 2018 study done by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
A second finding on women’s mobility is that they are often last in the pecking order while planning transport. Thus, if there is one car or scooter in the house, it is most likely to be used by the man. As per the Census 2011, in urban India 1 in 4 men travel to the workplace either by a two-wheeler or a four-wheeler, compared to 1 in 10 women. Even bicycle usage by women is much lower at 2.6% compared to 16% for men. Gurugram shows a slightly different picture in this as here we do see more working women on bicycles.
Thirdly, women are most likely to use public transport or walk to work/home. In all the metro cities, the percentage of women walking is higher than men.
Therefore, building cities with good infrastructure for pedestrians, including good pavements, well-lit and active streets, must be made a key element of any mobility plan. After walking, buses are the most common form of transport taken by women. Therefore, the public bus system must continue to be prioritized, as it is often cheaper than the Metro.
Fourthly, women tend to look for work that is closer to their homes and their commute is much more likely to be shorter than that of men. The gender commute gap increases significantly after the arrival of children. There are many reasons for this, including domestic responsibilities, safety and cost. The household survey conducted towards writing up the CMP mentions that travelling in Gurugram is quite expensive.
And finally, there is the issue of safety. Studies conducted across states in India have shown that more than 90% Indian women find public transport unsafe. Women face sexual harassment while waiting at transport stops, when using the public transport and covering the last mile. Therefore, last-mile connectivity greatly impacts women’s ease of mobility. The CMP must address all three elements of the journey.
The ability to move around with comfort and without fear is key to expanding women’s opportunities and creating more equitable cities, and thus economies. A gender-neutral mobility plan ends being a gender-blind mobility plan as realities of women and girls in our country is still very different from that of men. The CMP must recognize this need and prioritise it in its planning.
@SafetipinApp
(Co-founder and CEO of Safetipin, the author works on issues of women’s safety and rights in cities)
JAGORI
B-114, Shivalik, Malviya Nagar
NEW DELHI 110017
Phone: 011-26691219/20
Helpline: 8800996640, (011) 2669 2700
Fax: (011) 2669 1221
Website: www.jagori.org/ www.livingfeminisms.org/ www.safedelhi.in