‘When Women Move Forward, Cities Move Forward’: Usha Padhee Calls for Gender-Responsive Urban Mobility

Bhubaneswar: Safe and accessible urban mobility is not merely a transport issue but a key enabler of women’s participation in education, employment, entrepreneurship and public life, Additional Chief Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department, Usha Padhee, said on Wednesday.

Addressing the Shakti Summit 2026: State WCD Leadership Conclave at Bhubaneswar, Padhee highlighted Odisha’s efforts towards gender mainstreaming in urban mobility and called for putting women’s safety, accessibility and participation at the centre of urban transport planning.

Speaking on the theme “Initiatives by Odisha towards Gender Mainstreaming in Urban Mobility,” Padhee said mobility has a direct bearing on women’s ability to access opportunities and essential services. A city, she noted, cannot be truly inclusive if women do not feel safe and confident while navigating its streets and public transport systems.

She stressed that gender considerations must be incorporated from the planning stage and remain integral to implementation and service delivery. Safe public transport, pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, adequate street lighting, secure public spaces, reliable last-mile connectivity and responsive transport services are essential for creating women-friendly cities, she said.

Highlighting the importance of breaking gender stereotypes, Padhee introduced her female driver to the audience during the session, describing her as an example of women entering professions traditionally considered male-dominated.

“Gender mainstreaming cannot remain confined to policies and documents. It must be visible in our everyday lives and in the people who deliver our public services,” Padhee said.

She emphasised that women should not be viewed merely as beneficiaries of urban mobility initiatives but also as active participants in the transport ecosystem. Greater representation of women as drivers, transport personnel, planners, technology professionals and service providers, she said, can make mobility services more responsive while strengthening women passengers’ sense of safety and confidence.

Padhee also stressed the importance of incorporating women’s lived experiences into urban planning. “The best way to design a city for women is to listen to women,” she said, calling for greater consultation, evidence-based planning and continuous feedback from women using public transport and public spaces.

She said gender-responsive urban mobility should form part of a broader vision of inclusive and people-centric urban development, bringing together infrastructure, technology and governance to make cities safer, more accessible and liveable.

The address underscored that creating gender-responsive mobility is not simply about helping women travel safely. It is about removing barriers that prevent them from participating fully in the economic, social and civic life of the city.