Successful Second Annual
Creating Safe, Sustainable and Accessible Transport in Africa
The conference seeks to bridge the gap between research and policy initiatives pertaining to urban planning, public safety and gender-based violence issues and the real-world challenges facing women currently working in the transportation sector.
Recruitment, retention and promotion of women in the transportation industry
Gender differences in travel behavior, attitudes and preferences as well as safety consideration and accessible transport
Climate change and low-carbon transport solutions
Public transportation is notoriously unsafe for women, children, people living with disabilities and other vulnerable groups. Together, we must increase the visibility of women in the male dominated field of public transportation to reflect a more equitable and sustainable public transport system for everyone!
The Conference, will provide a platform for practitioners, researchers, policy makers and other key stakeholders to engage in skill-building, idea-sharing and experiential learning that will inspire new solutions to transport challenges faced by women and other vulnerable road users.
Keynote Speaker
Her Excellency Minister Dagmawit
Cabinet member of FDRE and a Member of House of People’s Representatives of Ethiopia (HoPRE), currently working as Minister of Transport for the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia since October 2018.
Founding Director, Flone Initiative
Naomi is the founder of Flone Initiative, which works to a create a safe and professional public transport industry in Kenya. She is also a co-founder of Mama Afrika Festival Trust, an organization that highlights and celebrates women in the arts.
She was one of the lead organizers of MyDressMyChoice campaign that saw thousands of women protest gender-based violence.
Independent Gender and Transport Consultant
Heather Allen is an independent consultant with 25 years of international experience and is a highly-regarded expert in sustainable transport, gender and climate change.
She has worked for both public and private sectors including UITP (International Association of Public Transport), TRL- UK’s Transport Research Laboratory, Greenpeace International, FIA Foundation, UN Women, European Commission, several multilateral development banks and SLoCaT (Sustainable Low Carbon Transport partnership).
DFID
He has 30 years’ experience in transport consultancy and research on transport policy and planning in Africa. In particular, he has specialised on the interaction between transport and gender, poverty reduction and social inclusion.
Jeff has worked for a range of clients including the World Bank, DFID, EU and the African Development Bank.
WRI's Ethiopia Country Director
Dr. Haileselassie Medhin is WRI’s Ethiopia Country Director. He plays a leading role in the design and implementation of WRI’s programmatic priorities in Ethiopia and the continent, focusing on key global sustainability challenges: food, forests, water, climate, energy and cities.
He engages closely with local stakeholders as well as WRI Global Programs and Centers
Health and Road Safety Project Coordinator, WRI Africa
Iman Abubaker is a Health and Road Safety Project Coordinator for WRI Africa, specifically working for the Bloomberg Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She works in coordination with other BIGRS partners as well as the city government to support and research on road safety and sustainable transport solutions in Addis Ababa.
Programs Manager, Flone Initiative
Mary holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and Media Technology with specialty in Public Relations and Marketing.
She has over five years’ experience in community mobilization, gender mainstreaming, prevention of sexual harassment training facilitation, and project management.
Open Institute :: Programme Lead, Ability Programme
As a VIP (visually impaired persons) Ambassador, Singer/Songwriter, YouTube content creator and Motivational Speaker, Crystal uses the platforms she has built over the years to shift the national psychology surrounding disability and advocate for a more diverse, accessible and inclusive Kenya – that leaves no one behind.
She holds a BA (Hons) in Film Studies and Theatre degree from the University of the West of England, Bristol (UK)
WRI Africa
Beakal is currently working as the Communications and Engagement Specialist for the WRI Africa Office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
She has previously worked for UNDP Regional Service Center as the Knowledge Management Officer for 4 years in the South-South Cooperation and Financing for Development team. She also has working experience in NGOs and other UN agencies.
Exploring conference themes –Accessibility & Safety, Employability, Environment -through stories
Iman Abubaker | WRI Africa
Nahungu Lionjanga | Transport Truths
Understanding Accessibility Challenges in Public Transport
Naomi Mwaura| Flone Initiative
Crystal Asige | Open Institute
Jeff Turner | DFID-Funded High-Volume Transport Research Programme
What is "Sustainable Public Transport?"
Moderator: Jeff Turner & Heather Allen
What are the sustainability challenges facing public transport in African cities
Walking as an Intersectional tool to Fight Exclusion
Moderator: Deyala Tarawneh & Ronja Schiffer
What are the sustainability challenges facing public transport in African cities
Women Working in Transport: Issues & Opportunities
Moderator: Susan Goodwillie
Women’s employment in transportation jobs is low in African cities.
Creating Gender Responsive Urban Mobility: Challenges and Opportunities
Moderator: Elleni Ashebir WRI | Africa
Interventions to Create safe walking & cycling spaces
Moderator: Jeff Turner
Interventions on Inclusive Employment
Moderator: Mary Mwangi Flone Initiative