Moving barriers, increasing access: an assessment of the mobility of women with disabilities and elderly women

Abstract

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.