COVID-19 IMPACTS ON WOMEN TRANSPORT USERS AND - TRANSPORT WORKERS IN AFRICA - INTRODUCTION WOMEN TRANSPORT WORKER EXPERIENCES IN THE PANDEMIC

COVID-19 IMPACTS ON WOMEN TRANSPORT USERS AND Gina Porter and Emma Murphy, Durham University Fatima Adamu, Usman Danfodiyo University Plangsat Bitrus Dayil, Jos University TRANSPORT WORKERS IN AFRICA Shadi Ambrosini and Sam Clark, Transaid INTRODUCTION WOMEN TRANSPORT WORKER EXPERIENCES IN THE PANDEMIC The Covid-19 crisis has had a severe impact on Africa’s poor. [...] Transport, at the heart of the crisis, has presented • Pandemic-induced formal and informal sector job losses massive challenges both for people using it and those • Pandemic-induced emotional stress of women in customer-facing and cleaning roles working in the sector. [...] increase of vulnerability of females… [Cape Town woman, 19y] WOMEN, TRANSPORT AND MOBILITY: THE AFRICAN CONTEXT WOMEN TRANSPORT USER EXPERIENCES IN THE PANDEMIC • Prevailing cultures of male auto mobility - constrain wom- en’s potential both as transport users and in transport sec- • Price hikes due to regulations such as reduced vehicle capacity and sanitisers, [e.g. [...] Abuja women reported early increases of tor employment 50% on buses, over 100% on some taxis] • Fear- and time-based exclusions significantly reduce wom- • Increased travel on foot due to higher fares, reduced services, fear of contracting Covid en’s access to transport (as users and workers) – far- • Increased insecurity and criminality plus police/military violence during lockdowns/curfews reach. [...] Strong evidence of demand in all three cities reportage [archived on our website] • Reductions in vehicle crowding essential to reduce sexual harassment – apps are helpful but insufficient The work provided a small income and, for some, a vital • Pressure for more emphasis on pedestrian and cycling safety – with low carbon benefits e.g.