Gender and transport: Towards a practical analysis framework for improved planning
In recent years a convergence of more socially progressive transport policy, and an
intentional focus on the gender aspects of development, has lead to an increasing
awareness of the ways in which transport systems and interventions fail to adequately
address the needs of traveling women. Yet addressing women’s specific travel needs
appears to be crucial in achieving poverty reduction and social development goals.
Research on gender and transport in developing countries has to date mostly focused on
rural areas, at least partly because there is a paucity of analytical tools and methods for
studying gender aspects of urban travel. The paper explores ways in which existing
gender analysis frameworks – and the Moser framework in particular – can be adapted by
transport and urban analysts in starting to examine the gender aspects of their work. The
framework’s application is illustrated briefly with examples from recent research
undertaken in South Africa.