Local Cultures – Global Spaces

Abstract

Far from being designed for gender-neutral commuters, the transport system in many countries worldwide remain unjust to women. This is the case in the Philippines wherein women experience public and active transport commuting with enormous travel time, physical effort, and substantial costs and with threats of sexual harassment as they perform their multiple roles and tasks. The research then navigates around the interconnected transport issues that Filipino women face and how they take the lead to find solutions to transport challenges. Through interviews with women from various organisations such as cycling, urban poor, persons with disabilities, and environmental advocacy groups, this research highlights the transport issues faced by Filipino women and how they find ways to solve them. This is alongside the use of photo anecdotes depicting women’s experience of transport and a review of legal and policy protection for women in the Philippines. The study highlights issues that women constantly face include the availability, accessibility, affordability, and safety of the Philippine transport system alongside ecological challenges such as flooding and urban heat. They then establish communities, especially with fellow women, to claim for their rights to the city. By organising efforts that provide safe and dedicated spaces for women’s voices, participants highlight how they establish groups online and offline and lobby to city councils to improve cycling and pedestrian infrastructure and the design of the transport system for commuters with different needs. The research then enhances situated knowledges in combatting car-centric and gender-blind transport policies and infrastructure.