Transaid, an international development organization, has recently secured investment from the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) to launch a new project aimed at improving safe access to public transportation for women in the western cape of South Africa.
The focus of this project is on the informal minibus taxi industry, which serves as the primary mode of public transport for the majority of South Africans. In 2020, minibus taxis accounted for 80.2% of work trips, far surpassing buses (16.6%) and trains (3.2%). These taxis play a crucial role in providing access to education and employment opportunities for individuals living in low-income communities on the outskirts of major cities. However, the industry has been plagued by increasing violence, with 1,653 recorded deaths between 2017 and 2022 in the Western Cape, Gauteng, and KwaZulu Natal alone.
Transaid’s project will focus on supporting associations within the minibus taxi industry to implement a safe taxi charter. This charter will be championed by minibus taxi drivers with the aim of raising awareness about sexual and gender-based violence and enhancing reporting mechanisms. Many women have expressed concerns about their safety and security while using public transport, which in turn limits their access to education and employment opportunities.
Sam Clark, Head of Programmes for Transaid, emphasizes the importance of ensuring that gender should not be a limiting factor when it comes to accessing public transport safely. While the minibus taxi industry is predominantly male-dominated, the goal of the project is to create a safer environment driven by the drivers themselves.
Partnerships with key organizations such as the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) and Sonke Gender Justice are integral to the success and sustainability of the project. The SANTACO Women’s Desk, established in 2008, focuses on addressing gender-specific issues within the taxi industry to promote gender equality. Sonke Gender Justice works towards social justice and poverty elimination by advancing gender justice, preventing gender-based violence, and reducing the impact of HIV and AIDS.
This initiative, funded by CFLI, builds on previous efforts by Transaid to engage with female commuters in Abuja, Nigeria; Cape Town, South Africa; and Tunis, Tunisia from 2019 to 2022. The research conducted during this period led to the development of safe transport charters for various forms of public transport, including minibus taxis.
For further information on Transaid and how you can support their work, please visit their website at www.transaid.org.
Overall, Transaid’s project in South Africa represents a crucial step towards creating a safer and more inclusive public transportation system, particularly for women. By working closely with local partners and stakeholders, the organization aims to bring about lasting change and improve access to education and employment opportunities for all members of the community.
