Gender-sensitive mobility studies

The gender perspective is an approach used to analyze and understand how social, cultural and political constructions of gender influence people and their interrelationships. This perspective recognizes that biological gender differences are not unique determinants of human behavior, but that the characteristics and roles assigned to men and women are influenced by social, cultural, and political expectations.

The gender perspective seeks to identify and challenge gender inequalities and the ways in which they manifest themselves in different areas such as economics, politics, education, health, culture, mobility, etc.

It also focuses on understanding how these inequalities affect people of different gender identities, including women, men, non-binary, transgender, intersex, and others.

The gender perspective is important because it allows us to understand how gender inequalities are created and maintained and how we can work to remove them. It also helps us recognize the diversity of people’s gendered experiences and create more inclusive and equitable solutions.

In short, the gender perspective is an inclusive vision of all genders, diversity of bodies and ages, looking for the right to mobility not only according to gender but also for people with reduced mobility, the elderly or people with functional diversity.

The gender perspective aims to achieve gender equality, i.e. that all people have the same opportunities, rights and freedoms, regardless their gender. To achieve this goal, the gender perspective seeks to analyze and challenge gender inequalities and discrimination that exist in society, and work to eliminate them.

Some of the specific goals of the gender perspective are:

• Challenge gender stereotypes that limit people’s opportunities and restrict their choices.
• Promote equal gender access to education, employment, politics and other areas of social and economic life.
• Ensure that laws, policies and practices take into account gender differences and work to reduce gender discrimination.
• Promote equal gender pay and working conditions.
• Prevent and combat gender violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
• Recognize and value the diversity of gender identities and work to create more inclusive and just societies.

The gender perspective is extremely important in mobility, as gender differences in terms of access, needs and mobility patterns can have a significant impact on people’s quality of life and their ability to participate fully in society.

For example, women and LGBTQIA+ and groups with reduced mobility often face additional barriers to accessing transport services, such as a lack of safe and convenient routes, inappropriate hours and unsafe spaces. In addition, gender mobility patterns are often very different; women making multiple stops to perform household tasks, such as taking children to and from school.

The gender perspective in mobility can help identify these inequalities and take measures to reduce them. For example, infrastructure improvements can be made to create safer and more convenient transport routes for women and LGBTQIA+, establish more inclusive and flexible transport schedules, and provide safe and comfortable spaces in public transport.

In short, the gender perspective is important in mobility because it allows us to understand how gender influences people’s mobility needs and patterns, and to work to reduce gender inequality and discrimination in access to transport services.

The gender perspective can be applied in a mobility study in several ways. Here are a few examples:

1. Gender-disaggregated data collection: It is important to collect gender-disaggregated data to understand gender differences in mobility patterns and other gender identities. Collecting gender-disaggregated data can also help to identify inequalities in access to transport services.
2. Analysis of gender mobility patterns: It is possible to analyze how mobility patterns vary according to gender, age and other socioeconomic factors. For example, gender commuting times and modes of transport can be analysed to better understand their needs and challenges.
3. Identifying gender barriers in access to transport services: Gender-specific barriers to accessing transport services can be identified, such as lack of safe and convenient routes for women and LGBTQIA+, lack of adequate sanitary facilities on transport, and inadequate transport schedules that limit women’s ability to perform paid and care work.
4. Developing inclusive transport solutions: The results of a mobility study with a gender perspective can help develop more inclusive and accessible transport solutions for all. This could include improvements in transport infrastructure and services to remove gender-specific barriers, and promoting policies that address gender inequalities in access to transport services.

In short, applying a gender perspective in a mobility study involves collecting and analyzing gender-disaggregated data, identifying gender-specific barriers to accessing transport services, and developing inclusive and accessible transport solutions for all.

Gender-sensitive urban planning is an approach that strives to integrate gender equality in the planning and design of urban spaces. It seeks to understand how different genders experience urban space differently and how patterns of space use may differ by gender.

Gender-sensitive urban planning focuses on creating inclusive and safe urban spaces that promote the equal participation of all people, regardless of gender. The aim is therefore to create an urban space for everyone, rather than designing for a male majority.

When applying the gender perspective in urban planning, factors such as accessibility, safety and comfort of public spaces, public transport and pedestrian routes, the presence of services and facilities that meet the specific needs of women, LGBTQIA+ and groups with reduced mobility have all been considered, the inclusion of adequate lighting and signage, among other aspects.

In short, gender-responsive urban planning is a tool to address gender inequalities in the planning and design of urban spaces. It strives for an urban space that is inclusive and accessible to all people, regardless of gender.