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Moving barriers, increasing access: an assessment of the mobility of women with disabilities and elderly women
The success of Sustainable Development Goal 11, particularly target 11.2 on access to safe,
affordable, and sustainable transport systems will be measured through the proportion of
people especially vulnerable groups with access to convenient public transport systems. In
Kenya, this demographic group comprises 2.2% (0.9 million) of people with disabilities and
6% (2.7 million) of the elderly. Among these statistics, women form the largest proportion;
2.5% for people with disabilities and 55% for the elderly. The purpose of this assessment is
hence to understand the vulnerabilities women with disabilities and elderly women face in
accessing public transport through documenting their subjective experiences, with a special
focus on Nairobi City County.
A mixed methodology approach was adopted comprising a survey targeting women with
disabilities and elderly women to collect data; Focus Group Discussions; and Key Informant
Interviews with transport policymakers, public transport operators and owners, and relevant
government institutions. Findings from the study indicate that women with disabilities and
elderly women currently face challenges in accessing public transport services due to a lack
of inclusive national and county transport policies, inaccessible design of public transport
vehicles and infrastructure, unaffordable and hidden costs of transport, vulnerability to sexual
harassment, limited road safety, and security; inaccessible travel information; discrimination,
unresponsive reporting mechanisms, and a non-representative workforce.
To enhance access to public transport for these vulnerable groups, the study recommends
technical, social, and institutional interventions, including implementation of the Public Service
Vehicle standard designs in Kenya to ensure inclusive accessibility, education and awareness
programs to public service operators on handling and treatment of vulnerable groups,
sensitization and implementation of policies governing vulnerable groups and building
capacity of women belonging to these groups on self-advocacy.
Description:
Papers presented virtually at the 41st International Southern African Transport Conference on 10-13 July 2023.