Transportation Issues for Women in Developing Countries: Case Study of Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract:
This paper describes how achieving the targeted millennium goals being, education, gender equity and reducing maternal mortality remain a major challenge in the developing world. An inefficient transportation system and inaccessibility are one of the primary areas to hit in order to achieve these intended goals. Living in large cities women have additional opportunities to work, educate themselves and perform other household related tasks, but are refrained from doing so owing to inefficient transportation system. This research is based on a case study of Karachi and has carried out a cross-sectional survey of two hundred female transport users in June 2005. Participants were asked about factors contributing as barriers to accessing transportation and possible suggestions to improve current infrastructure. Resistance by male members of the house to travel (8%), lack of accessibility and affordability of transportation (21%), bus frequencies and low level of services (17%), bus staff behavior (17%), limited seats (22%), and ill planned public transportation infrastructure (15%), were reasons for discomfort and inefficient transportation system reported by the interviewees. Whereas allocating more buses/routes (26%), allocate more seats (18%), improved accessibility, frequencies, and staff behavior (31%), separate transportation (2%), inhibiting boarding on buses after seats are full (12%), and reduction in transportation costs (11%) were possible suggestions by interviewees to alleviate the current dismal situation. Apart from a good government infrastructure an integrated approach is proposed in which inter-sectoral collaboration of all ministries/departments can lead to a more sustained transportation system to cater to the needs of female passengers.
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