A joint University of Ghana / Transport Research Laboratory study based on research in Ghana argues that gender is a missing link in approaches to transport use and planning. Women have more problems gaining access to transport than men, while transportation profiles and needs of men and women often differ. The researchers warn that this 'gendering' of transport has negative social impacts that are often overlooked. They propose that dissimilarities between men's and women's transport needs should be taken into account when planning public transport facilities, urban housing and the delivery of health and welfare services. New information technologies, which can facilitate participation of users in planning and feedback systems, could be of use in enabling a gender-conscious outlook on transport.

This research is based on fieldwork in Accra, Ghana. Women in Ghana play a big part in economic activity. The majority of small traders are women, while buying, transporting and selling goods is widely regarded as a female role. The research in hand centred on an in-depth study of small to medium scale traders in Accra, and their use of (and access to) various forms of transport. Women traders in Ghana make frequent journeys carrying relatively small loads. These journeys require much juggling of female labour in households, with young girls often working at trade counters, or as domestic 'anchors'. Deficiencies in transport services and infrastructure can thus particularly hamper girl children's access to education, as they substitute for adult women in the home and marketplace. Market demand for different forms of urban transport ranges from non-mechanised vehicles and carts to taxis, mini-vans and mini-buses. Women are often involved in porterage and transport centres and in the ownership of both motori

• public transport vehicles are poorly designed, failing to cater to women with dependant children
• transport planning tends to focus on the (single purpose and predominantly male) journey to work
• Women are more likely to make multipurpose journeys to service providers (health clinics, schools, shopping centres, public administration offices) in locations scattered around the urban complex.

Among policy lessons that emerge from the study, the following stand out:

• Planning should start by asking what survival strategies households use (and in which neighbourhoods) to gain a living, then tackle those mobility and access problems that can make particular tasks harder.
• Transport projects should be designed with gender in mind and tailored to social and cultural specifics.
• Data collected on transport use should be gender-disaggregated (separately sized up by gender group).
• Transport users know the system and its failures best. User group planning techniques that incorporate fair representation of women should be used for getting good, gender-fair feedback on transport and keeping that information updated. Feedback systems should be decentralised, not limited to big cities.
• Participatory consultation through new Internet technologies could aid efficient feedback systems.

Source(s):
1. Gender and user group Protocols: the need for new transport planning practices. Paper prepared for the annual meeting of the Transportation Research Board by Turner, J., Guitink, P. et al. (January 1998) Full document.
2. At Christmas and on rainy days: Transport, Travel and the Female Trader of Accra. Grico, N. Apt, N. Turner, J Avebury, Aldershot 1996
3. Transport and survival strategies in a developing economy: case evidence from Accra, Ghana. Journal of Transport Geography, vol. 4, No. 3. By Turner, J. and Kwakye, E. (1996) >

Funded by: Department for International Development (DFID), UK (1993-1996)

id21 Research Highlight: 1998-May-29

Further Information:
Jeff Turner
Department of Planning and Landscape
University of Manchester
Manchester
M13 9PL
UK

Tel: + 44 (0) 161 275 6948
Fax: + 44 (0) 161 275 6893
Contact the contributor: jeff.turner@.man.ac.uk

Department of Planning and Landscape, University of Manchester, UK

Other related links:
What Is Development Management ? The Business School, University of North London, UK