Transport is not gender-neutral- this observation has been underlined by research over the last decade: Women and men have different expectations, needs and constraints for using transport. However, while the difference in travel patterns and the safety and security concerns of women are known and widely acknowledged, there is still no systematic inclusion of women’s needs in transport projects. Yet, on the long run, transport systems that do not address these issues can be neither efficient nor sustainable.

The session will dive into the subject and explore with practice examples how women’s needs in transport have been addressed in research/planning, policy and operations and how these good approaches can be systematized and scaled. It will ultimately raise the question of empowerment. How can women in the sector be empowered to make their female perspective be heard and represented? Mujeres en Movimiento, a recently created initiative to empower female practitioners in transport will present its approach to change the sector from the

The session is organized by the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) and the Mujeres en Movimiento Initiative (IMEM).

Session structure:

Three short presentations followed by a panel discussion and exchange with the audience

Expected results:

The expected results of the Women Empowerment session are:

• Present local experiences that have been successful in identifying instruments and practices that take into account the needs of women in urban transport.
• Discuss how these good practices can be generalized and systematized to create an integrated approach to handle gender and transport.
• Present the new Mujeres en Movimiento Initiative and its transversal work to empower women in the transport sector.

Draft Agenda

08:30 – 09:00     Registration

09:00 – 11:15     Session 8: Women Empowerment in Transport in Latin America and the Caribbean

Session Moderator: Verena Flues.

09:00 – 09:05     Introduction

• Verena Flues, Urban Mobility Advisor, GIZ

1. Three short input presentations: Addressing women’s needs in planning, policy and operations- 3 cases from 3 countries

09:05 – 09:15     The role of applied research and holistic planning for gender sensitive transport

• Lake Sagaris, Researcher and Associate Professor, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

09:15 – 09:25     Tackling sexual harassment through a public policy programme – the case of Quito

• Daniela Chacón Arías, City Councilor Quito, Ecuador

09:25 – 09:35     The Night bus corridor in Mexico, a safe and secure service for all

• Jesús Padilla Zenteno, President of the Mexican Association of Transport and Mobility (AMTM)

09:35- 09:45      Experiences and policy visions in Latin America

• Jeannette Sanchez Zurita, Director, Natural Resources and Infrastructure Division (ECLAC)

2. Panel discussion:  How do we get from good practices to an integrated approach?

09:45 – 10:30     Exchange between the three presenters and the public

• Lake Sagaris
• Daniela Chacón Arías
• Jesús Padilla Zenteno
• Jeannette Sánchez Zurita

3. Outlook and closing remarks:

10:30 – 10:45     Changing the sector from the inside: The approach of Mujeres en Movimiento to strengthen female leadership in the transport sector

• Laura Ballesteros, Fundadora de Mujeres en Movimiento, Senadora Suplente, ex Sub-Secretaria de Movilidad de la Ciudad de México

10:45 – 11:15    Coffee Break