Women (Im-) Mobility in Pakistan: Salami Slicing the Public Transport to Navigate Social Inequality and Marginalization

Abstract

Industrialization, technological advancement, and globalization have transformed societies and significantly reshaped the traditional roles of women. These developments expanded women's participation in education, employment, and public life. However, such progress remains uneven across the Global South. Despite these advancements, women in the Global South continue to be one of the most marginalized segments of society. Pakistan, as part of the Global South, exemplifies these challenges. Despite rapid urbanization and infrastructural development in Pakistan’s major cities, including Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad, female continue to face significant transportation challenges that restrict their access to education, employment, and other opportunities of empowerment. This study aims to investigate the transportation challenges faced by female university students of Lahore focusing on the frequently unobserved door-to-door phase of their daily commute from home to university and back. It examined their complete commuting experiences, including walking, public transport, reserved transport, and ride-hailing services covering entire journey from their doorstep to the university gate. Qualitative data were collected from female university students of Lahore and analyzed using SPSS to identify significant patterns in their commuting experience. The findings reveal that women continue to face unsafe transportation, harassment, mobility insecurity, and social stigmas that discourage independent travel. These barriers limit women’s educational, economic and social opportunities. Drawing on the principle of Salami Slicing within modernization theory, the study recommends gradual but immediate transportation reforms, including women-friendly public transport, immediate enforcement of anti-harassment laws, and awareness campaigns to enhance women's mobility, encourage gender equality, and promote inclusive development in Pakistan.