GENDER AND TRANSPORT RESOURCE GUIDE  
Introduction
MODULE 1:
Why Gender and Transport?
MODULE 2:
Challenges for Mainstreaming Gender in Transport
MODULE 3:
Promising Approaches for Mainstreaming Gender in Transport
MODULE 4:
Gender and Rural Transport Initiative (GRTI)
MODULE 5:
Tools for Mainstreaming Gender in Transport
MODULE 6:
Resources for Mainstreaming Gender in Transport
Acknowledgements
 
Module 4: Gender and Rural Transport Initiative (GRTI)
Intro | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

4.2. GRTI Main Findings

Gaps Identified by GRTI Studies

The GRTI studies identified the need for:
  • Gender-sensitive transport policies
  • Going beyond micro projects to infrastructure
  • Promotion of non-transport solutions to transport problems
  • Improved transport related services (such as credit, repairs)
  • Testing of suitability of other types of IMTs
  • Improved and sex-disaggregated M&E indicators
  • Training in research methodology
GRTI Findings
Constraints Opportunities
  • Women and female children bear most of the transport burden in rural areas.
  • A large proportion of the transport-related activities of females are carried out in and around their rural communities.
  • Walking and head-loading are the predominant means of transportation used by rural women to carry out most of their activities.
  • Cultural or religious norms have restricted rural women's access to improved means of transportation, including various types of IMTs.
  • Due to their transport constraints, much of rural women's time is spent in accomplishing routine tasks, leaving them little time for income-generating activities or leisure.
  • A strong relationship exists between transport constraints and inability to break out of the poverty cycle.
  • Transport policy has been largely "gender neutral" and has not taken into account the different transport needs of males and females.
  • GRTI has helped bring gender to the forefront in defining national transport policy.
  • Introduction of socially acceptable IMTs and group action of women to secure their own IMTs are effective ways to enhance rural women's transport conditions and reduce their burden.
  • Women are effective managers of transport or other infrastructure facilities when given the opportunity and an enabling environment.
  • Facilitating improved, gender-relevant transport strategies require understanding and addressing a large and diverse set of stakeholders.
  • Gender awareness-raising from policy makers to the grassroots level is needed to improve transport conditions for rural women.
  • Workshop outputs need to be translated into action.

Taking Advantage of Good Rural Transport and Travel Practices

  • Carrying out pre-intervention studies (Cameroon)
  • Recognizing locality-specific differences (Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Tanzania).
  • Locally produced and maintained IMTs (Ghana, Malawi, Guinea, Cote d' Ivoire).
  • Gender disaggregated research findings (Nigeria).
  • Workshops promoting gender sensitivity in transport (Madagascar, Malawi, Kenya, Tanzania and Zimbabwe).
  • Differentiating long-term from short-term project objectives and activities (Nigeria and Zambia).

 

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