Gendered Dimensions of Transport and Women's Social Exclusion in Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire)
Abstract
This paper explores the gendered dimensions of transport in Abidjan and how transport dynamics influence women's out-of-home activity participation, leading to their social exclusion. By using a gender-sensitive analysis approach, the research revealed that Abidjan City's transportation system is inadvertently gendered and excludes vulnerable people and women. The findings highlighted transport availability, affordability and reliability as key factors impacting women's opportunities and out-of-home activity participation. And revealed that women's mobility, safety, economic and social well-being are significantly affected.
The research recommends targeted interventions to bridge the gender gap; and particularly to improve women's mobility through safe, reliable and affordable public transport. Gender-sensitive transport planning and policies can be adopted by urban planners and policymakers to promote women's empowerment, social inclusion and safety in Abidjan and surrounding metropolitan areas. These proposals contribute to equitable access to transport services for all citizens specifically women, which is essential for the city's social and economic development. The research addresses therefore a significant gap in transport-related social exclusion studies on African cities, by offering insights to improve transportation planning and policy in similar urban contexts.
Keywords
Social Exclusion, Transport, Gender, Abidjan, Women, Activity Participation
References
- Adeel, M. & Yeh, A. G. O. (2018) Gendered immobility: influence of social roles and local context on mobility decisions in Pakistan, Transportation Planning and Technology, 41:6, 660-678, Doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/03081060.2018.1488932
- Banister, D. (2005). Unsustainable Transport: City Transport in the New Century (1st ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203003886
- Berrou, J.-P., Darbon, D. Bouquet, C. Bekelynck, A. Clement, M. Combarnous F. & Rougier E. (2017), “Le réveil des classes moyennes ivoiriennes ? Identification, caractérisation et implications pour les politiques publiques ”, Papiers de recherche AFD, n° 2018-71, Juillet. https://doi.org/10.3917/afd.berro.2018.01
- Bhandari, P. (2022). A Guide to Ethical Considerations in Research. [online] Scribbr. Available at: https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/research-ethics/
- Cass, N., Shove, E., & Urry, J. (2005). Social exclusion, mobility and access. The sociological review, 53(3), 539-555.
- Cazemier, M. (2022). New Needs, New Methods: A Review of Sustainable Transport and Mobility Planning in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. Master thesis, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands.
- Chamseddine, Z. and Ait Boubkr, A. (2021). Understanding Gender, Income and Travel Behavior in Casablanca City – Morocco. The Open Transportation Journal, 15(1), pp.272–279. Doi https://doi.org/10.2174/1874447802115010272
- Church, Andrew & Frost, Martin & Sullivan, Karen. (2000). Transport and social exclusion in London. Transport Policy. 7. 195-205. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0967-070X(00)00024-X
- Currie, G. (2004) Gap Analysis of Public Transport Needs: Measuring Spatial Distribution of Public Transport Needs and Identifying Gaps in the Quality of Public Transport Provision. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 1895, 137-146.
- Currie, G., & Delbosc, A. (2010). Modelling the social and psychological impacts of transport disadvantage. Transportation, Vol. 37, (6), pp. 953-966.