Gender-responsive public transport system focusing on harassment of female commuters: a case study of Chattogram City, Bangladesh

Gender-based harassment (GBH) in public transport (PT) systems remains a critical challenge in the Global South. It disproportionately affects women and girls, particularly in the context of unplanned urbanization and deep-rooted sociocultural constraints, such as in Chattogram, Bangladesh. While existing research identifies factors contributing to sexual harassment in PT systems, gaps persist in understanding non-transport barriers, such as sociocultural perceptions, gender stereotypes, and mobility-related stigmas that affect women’s mobility in developing cities. This study addresses these gaps through a multi-level framework examining the interplay of micro-level travel experiences, mezzo-level infrastructure deficiencies, and macro-level policy constraints on women’s harassment in PT. It further seeks to examine the perceptions of transport key institutions on promoting gender-sensitive systems and enhancing women’s participation, ultimately proposing actionable, evidence-based strategies to establish gender-responsive public transport systems in Chattogram City. The study adopts a mixed-methods approach using an explanatory sequential design. In the initial phase, a semi-structured questionnaire survey with both open- and closed-ended questionnaires was administered to collect quantitative data from female commuters, male commuters, PT workers, and key informants. The next phase involved qualitative data collection through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions to further interpret the survey findings. The quantitative analysis employed descriptive and inferential statistical techniques, including Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), while regression analysis examined the impact of demographic factors on key variables. The qualitative phase involved code-based theme analysis of interview transcripts, incorporating relevant direct quotes and descriptive statistics to support the findings. Findings reveal that in Chattogram City, traditional sociocultural perceptions and gender stereotypes significantly influence women's travel experiences in PT. Family-imposed restrictions, heightened patriarchal vigilance, societal judgments about women's dress codes, and family pressure to avoid solo travel during specific hours perpetuate these barriers. Public transport is often perceived as unsafe and poor people's transport, further amplifying negative societal perceptions and family members' control over female mobility. These entrenched views contribute to heightened safety concerns and travel anxiety among female commuters. Initiatives such as incorporating school-level curriculum and social awareness campaigns against harassment to foster long-term sociocultural perception change would be more effective. In the PT sector, the study highlights male dominance in transport, where the PT service providers and male passengers often overlook women's mobility patterns, PT needs and demands. The lack of adequate PT infrastructure facilities, such as poor transport interiors, lack of designated stops, and inadequate seating, combined with the strong masculine behaviour of PT workers and insufficient security measures in transport areas, significantly hinders the safe accessibility of female commuters. Addressing these concerns requires basic PT infrastructure facilities, enhanced security interventions, and the establishment of reliable reporting systems for harassment incidents. Policy-level findings highlight the need for systemic changes, prioritizing gender-sensitive interventions such as training for PT workers, anti-GBH awareness programs, and targeted financial support to encourage female participation in the PT workforce, rather than introducing female-only transport systems. These measures aim to ensure comprehensive improvements across PT systems. PT operation under a unified company, and creating a congenial work environment for female participation in transport operations are critical measures for gradual changes in conventional perceptions and mitigating GBH in this sector. Respondents, e.g., female and key informants, strongly believe that increasing women's participation in the PT workforce could be a key driver of change. Moreover, PT-related key institutions must integrate a strategic gender-needs approach into PT planning. This approach should clearly define their responsibilities in ensuring a more inclusive and accessible transport system.Despite certain research limitations, this study provides perceptions on a multi-level understanding of gender-based harassment in Chattogram City's public transport system. Given the absence of previous comprehensive studies, adopting a multi-level perspective in this research offers insights into the barriers and gaps, ranging from sociocultural perceptions to policy-level constraints. Nevertheless, these findings aim to guide urban and transport planners in taking necessary actions, ranging from short-term to long-term strategies, to prioritize the needs of vulnerable commuters, particularly women and girls, while promoting gender equity within urban transport systems.