Paving the way for safer roads: Celebrating women in road safety for International Women’s Day

This International Women’s Day, we applaud the incredible contributions of women who are making our roads safer for everyone.

The theme for International Women’s Day 2024, #InspireInclusion and #Countherin perfectly reflects the importance of gender inclusivity in road safety at all different levels. Women have unique perspectives and experiences when it comes to road use. They often make shorter trips, walk and cycle more frequently, and travel with children as passengers.

By incorporating these perspectives into road design, infrastructure planning, and policy decisions, we can create safer and more equitable transportation systems for all.

Women Leading the Charge

Our Star Rating for Schools Team is proud to recognize the many women leading the charge in road safety around the world. From board members, engineers designing safer roads to policymakers advocating for better pedestrian infrastructure, women are playing a critical role in saving lives.

Here are just a few ways women are making a difference:

• Engineering Safer Roads: Female engineers are incorporating gender-based data into road design, ensuring features like sidewalks and pedestrian crossings cater to the needs of all users.
• Championing Pedestrian Safety: Women’s rights groups are advocating for improved pedestrian infrastructure, particularly in areas where women and children walk more frequently.
• Public Transport Advocacy: Women leaders are pushing for safe and reliable public transportation options, offering women greater mobility and reducing their reliance on potentially risky private vehicles.

Today we celebrate our wonderful Star Rating for Schools Programme Coordinator, Minh Vo.

We recently asked Minh for her insights into her experience and some advice for the future generations….

What is the most important piece of advice you have been given?

The most important piece of advice I have been given is “just do it”, believe in myself with can-do attitude, actively seek out opportunities for professional development and recognition, and connect with other women in the field to support one another to challenge gender stereotypes and contribute to a more diverse and inclusive transportation sector.

This year’s theme is “Count her in: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress” – What are some ways we can re shape the system and remove the barriers for women and girls to unlock their potential?

• Provide opportunities for professional development and career growth:
• Ensure equal access to education, training, and employment opportunities for women and girls.
• Provide scholarships and mentorship by other women in the sector to encourage their participation. Women and girls can be a minority in the transport sector, but they need to be valued as part of the system.
• Provide Supportive Infrastructure: Invest in supportive infrastructure and facilities that cater to the needs of women and girls in transportation, such as safe and accessible transport infrastructure.

I love my role as the SR4S Coordinator where I have opportunities to advocate for safe school infrastructure. Thereby ensuring that students, especially female students, have a safer journey to schools to access education without facing unnecessary risks.

How are some ways we can #InspireInclusion and #Countherin in our own #RAPCommunity?

• Create a support network or mentorship programs within the RAP community for girls and women: Young girls at the early stage of their career can be provided guidance from more experienced women in the community.
• Recognize and celebrate the contributions and achievements of women within the RAP community through awards and recognition programmes to inspire others and foster a culture of inclusivity.
• Foster an inclusive culture within the RAP community where diversity, collaboration and mutual respect are valued.

We also interviewed iRAP’s female board members for their insights and advice – click here to read.

The Road Ahead

While we celebrate the progress made, there’s still a long way to go. We need to encourage more women to pursue careers in road safety engineering, planning, and research. Additionally, ensuring women have a seat at the decision-making table is crucial for creating truly inclusive and equitable transportation systems.

On International Women’s Day, we pledges to continue our work alongside all genders to achieve the ambitious goals of the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety: halving the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents by 2030.

#IWD2024 #InspireInclusion #CountHerIn

Together, we can build a future where every child feels safe and empowered on their journey to and from school.