MobiliseHER in Ahmedabad: Advancing Gender-Responsive Urban Mobility

In collaboration with the CEPT Research & Development Foundation (CRDF), Ahmedabad, PRIA continues its efforts through the MobiliseHER project to foster gender-responsive mobility systems across Indian cities. This project aims to address gendered differences in mobility patterns and ensure safer, more inclusive urban transport solutions for women and other marginalised groups. 

Recent Fieldwork: Understanding Mobility Through Participatory Tools 

During the latest round of fieldwork conducted on September 25th and 26th, 2024, we engaged with various communities in Ahmedabad to explore how mobility varies among genders. Through the Participatory Urban Appraisal (PUA) tools, we conducted in-depth discussions with women, adolescent girls, and men from different socio-economic backgrounds to map their mobility experiences and safety concerns. 

Community discussions with the girls at URC Saath, Narol 

Key observations from our field visit include: 

• Women’s Mobility Patterns in Vasna and Behrampura: Many women, including domestic workers and elderly caregivers, rely heavily on shuttles and buses for their daily commute. Despite the convenience of shuttles, safety concerns—such as harassment in cramped auto-rickshaws—persist. Some women have also begun learning to ride scooters, empowering them to be more independent in their mobility choices. 
• Adolescent Girls in Narol: Girls frequently walk or take buses for short distances but face challenges such as overcrowded buses and unsafe road conditions. Some of the girls expressed feeling safer walking in well-lit areas, while others identified problematic routes with poor lighting and the presence of men loitering, leading to restricted mobility, particularly in the evening. 
• Men’s Perspectives on Mobility in Behrampura: Men, including street vendors and shop owners, emphasized the poor road conditions, especially during the monsoon season, which impact their ability to move around with carts. Like the women, they found shuttles more convenient, citing infrequent bus services as a significant barrier. 

These insights highlight critical gender gaps in the current urban mobility systems. Women and adolescent girls face unique safety challenges that influence their mobility choices, reinforcing the need for gender-responsive urban planning. 

As part of the project, we will continue to work closely with the community groups to build our understanding around gender-sensitive mobility policies. Simultaneously, we will engage with government authorities and CSO’s to institutionalize participatory approaches in transport planning and implementation.