SHE-CAN Tool
Published: January 2022
Main topic: Gender, Inclusion
Study countrie(s): Malawi, Nigeria
Written by: Paul Curtis
Published by: EMPOWER Consortium
Study type: Online tool
The SHE CAN tool is a user-friendly, web-based resource, assisting policymakers and transport providers to develop an evidence-based approach to addressing sexual harassment and personal security within public transport. This offers co-benefits to improve female access to education, employment and leisure in Africa, and across the world.
EMPOWER builds the capacity of transport professionals to deliver gender-equitable and inclusive transport to improve the personal security of female passengers. It specifically addresses the causes of sexual harassment towards women when they travel. EMPOWER has delivered an integrated programme of research in sub-Saharan Africa proving the prevalence of the problem, and highlighting that the definition of harassment is not always understood.
The project took place between 2020 and 2022 and collected data on women’s mobility and levels of sexual harassment in two sub-Saharan African cities: Lagos, Nigeria and Blantyre, Malawi. We collected data from urban public transport users and key stakeholders to see the extent to which women’s mobility was affected by fears about their personal security. Our methodology included interception surveys (men and women), focus group discussions and a comparison of paper and tablet collection methods. Over 1000 questionnaire responses were collected in each city over 8 months (from October 2020 to July 2021). This underlined the need for coordinated action by many stakeholders including transport operators, local and regional authorities, ministries, non-government organisations, community groups, police and citizens themselves.
Therefore, the project has developed the SHE CAN Tool:
Sexual Harrassment Engagement
Changing Attitudes Meeting Needs
The SHE CAN tool has been developed based on the findings of the EMPOWER project that investigated sexual harassment on public transport in Africa. This tool has been designed to help cities respond to sexual harassment and makes suggestions to improve the safety and security of urban transport for the benefit of women but ultimately for all citizens.
