In India, public commute holds a variety of problems for women when it comes to commuting around their city. This has created what’s known as the ‘gender commute gap’. This gap has contributed to numerous problems women face today and it only seems to get wider.
Why does the gender commute gap matter? And how can we help it? Let’s read on further to understand one of the biggest social problems that hinder a woman’s growth today.
What causes the gender commute gap?
Due to India’s ever-lasting social standards on women, majority of them are made to give more importance to household duties than their career. These responsibilities get bigger especially after their child is born. It’s reported that 45% of women in India don’t even travel for work, but rather work out of their home.
While gender roles play a big part in creating this gap, another major concern widens it. The lack of safety felt by women in various commute services makes them feel exposed to physical aggression, sexual harassment and other forms of unwelcome behaviour. This creates more reluctancy for women to commute longer distances.
The gender commute gap is also a result of the gender pay gap. Women who had an hour-long commute were 29.1% more likely to leave their current job than if they had a 10 minute. Commute services that seem comfortable enough for women to use are often too expensive. The absence of affordable commute that’s also reliable adds to this problem.
Why does the gender commute gap matter?
This gender gap in commuting has resulted in women being more likely to turn down higher-paying jobs to stay closer to home. The smaller pool of job opportunities hinders their career progression and even their capability of earning a higher income. Low to middle-income families are missing out on earning higher, even if they have the skills and experience employers need.
How we can help bridge this gap
Bridging this gap is a collaborative effort from employers, commuting services, and a mindset change in individuals. As an e-mobility brand in India, Yulu provides single-seater vehicles in an effort to make commuting for women convenient and simple. These vehicles are easy-to-ride with a small frame structure and require no driving licences to use. They also come with a bag holder that makes commuting super comfortable in any attire, while riding solo puts the fear of safety to rest.
We want to diminish the gender commute gap and make commuting as viable and affordable for women as it is for others. As we do our best to bridge this gap, it’s imperative that we do this together.
It’s important for employers to understand that this gap isn’t only limiting opportunities for women but also limiting talent in the workplace. While some organizations are providing transportation for their female employees, others are more flexible with their employees working from home when required.
If you want to join us on bridging this gap, help us setup Yulu zones at your office campus to make commuting simpler and safer for women at work. Reach out to us at social@yulu.bike and we will collaborate with you to bring diversity to your workforce. Let’s work towards bridging this gap and creating a gender-equal community for all.