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Designing Safer Journeys: Women’s Mobility Rights in Africa

Designing Safer Journeys: Women’s Mobility Rights in Africa

Across Africa’s bustling cities, millions of women and girls navigate public transport systems
daily, yet their journeys are often fraught with disproportionate safety risks. From sexual
harassment on crowded buses to inadequate lighting at transport hubs, the challenges facing
female commuters highlight a critical gap in urban mobility planning that demands urgent
attention.

Women represent the largest share of public transport users in developing countries, making
their safety concerns not just a gender issue but a fundamental transport policy challenge. In
many African cities, women report feeling unsafe during their daily commutes, with incidents
ranging from verbal harassment to physical assault. These safety concerns restrict women’s
mobility, limiting their access to employment, education, and economic opportunities.
The intersection of gender and transport safety has sparked innovative responses from both civil
society organisations and technology startups. NGOs are increasingly advocating for policy
reforms that prioritise women’s mobility rights, pushing for gender-responsive transport
planning and infrastructure design. These organisations are working with governments to
implement safer transport systems that address the specific vulnerabilities women face.
Technology is emerging as a powerful ally in this fight for safer journeys. Mobile applications like
Safetipin and Safecity are providing platforms for women to report incidents of harassment and
violence, creating valuable data that can inform policy decisions. In Cameroon, women are
increasingly turning to ride-hailing apps like Yango for safer transportation alternatives,
reflecting a broader trend across the continent where technology offers solutions to traditional
transport challenges.

The rise of ride-hailing and transport startups across Africa presents new opportunities for
creating gender-inclusive mobility solutions. These platforms can implement safety features
specifically designed for women, such as driver verification systems, real-time tracking, and
emergency alert mechanisms. Africa’s ride-hailing market, expected to grow from $2.53 billion
in 2025 to $3.16 billion by 2030, represents significant potential for scaling these safety
innovations.

Policy reform remains equally crucial. Programmes like the “Empower: Safer Transport for
Women in Sub-Saharan Africa” initiative are working to enhance women’s personal safety
through research, validation, and capacity building. These efforts focus on delivering gender-equitable, inclusive transport systems that actively tackle sexual harassment and violence.
The World Bank’s gender and transport initiatives demonstrate how international partnerships
can drive meaningful change. By supporting concrete solutions that enhance women’s mobility,
these programmes align with broader development goals while addressing immediate safety
concerns.

Creating safer public transport for women requires a multi-faceted approach combining
technological innovation, policy reform, and sustained advocacy. As African cities continue to
grow and evolve, ensuring that women can travel safely and with dignity is not just a matter of
equality—it’s an economic imperative that unlocks the full potential of urban development.
The journey toward safer public transport for women in Africa is ongoing, but the convergence of
technology, policy reform, and civil society action provides hope for meaningful progress. By
prioritising women’s mobility rights, African cities can create transport systems that truly serve
all their citizens.

Reference List

https://womenandtransportafrica.com/
https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/transport/brief/closing-gender-gaps-in-transport
https://thecityfix.com/blog/no-safe-journeys-for-women-why-mobility-systems-in-african-cities-are-failing-womens-needs/
https://transport-links.com/funded-projects/empower-safer-transport-for-women-in-sub-saharan-africa
https://www.context.news/big-tech/cameroonian-women-hop-on-to-taxi-apps-for-safety
https://www.techinafrica.com/ride-sharing-and-ride-hailing-startups-in-africa/
https://news.trust.org/item/20210315155421-qxfb5
https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/africa-ride-hailing-market
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/326588267_SAFE_AND_SOUND_INTERNATIONAL_RESEARCH_ON_WOMEN’S_PERSONAL_SAFETY_ON_PUBLIC_TRANSPORT