A Cross Cultural Study of Gender Transport Poverty: The Everyday Effects on Women’s Lives

Abstract

This paper draws on research conducted during the 18-month, collaborative WEMOBILE project, which brought together designers, planners and ergonomists from UK, Pakistan, Malaysia to raise awareness and (re)present problems women in low-middle income countries (LMICs) face in their everyday travel. Based around 3 knowledge sharing trips to Lahore (Pakistan), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and Coventry (UK), the research directly addressed Rand’s comments regarding the need for transport professionals to show cultural sensitivity. Each visit consisted of a series of interactions with the environment and local women to gain greater insights into the everyday problem’s women experienced when travelling in their cities. Methods included workshops, empathic design, visual and autoethnography, focus groups, multi-stakeholder world café, surveys and phenomenological interviews. The paper will outline the problems faced by women and some recommendations for future action.