Women are underrepresented in the mobility sector, and mobility systems are less accessible for women. Several organizations are helping women to re-shape the industry and close the gender gap. These inspirational efforts are helping women to achieve mobility equity, but more can be done.

In November 2022, the European Commission approved an unprecedented regulation, requiring 40% female representation on European company boards by 2026. Women are underrepresented everywhere, and at all levels; mobility is no different. Arguably, better female representation in the mobility industry can help address representation across different sectors, as mobility is a basic requirement for access to education, health, jobs, and finance. There is a wide range of evidence that women and men have different mobility needs, with the current set-up suiting male needs best.

Mobility manufacturers, operators, innovators, and regulators are starting to address the underrepresentation of women across the mobility sector. This is especially important in the current climate, with employee shortages a bottleneck for growth. Ensuring more female representation in the mobility sector can also help close employment demand gaps.

Leaders around the world are helping remove the first gender-related barrier to equality. This is what we can learn from them.

There is still a long way to go before autonomous vehicles will roam our streets and highways. Drivers are still key to transporting people and goods, and keeping the economy going. Despite the increasing share of female drivers on our roads, even in places where until recently women were banned from behind the wheel, the gender divide is still clear. For example, the share of female drivers in the US was 18% in 2019, up from 13% in 2010. Ride-hailing, public transport operators, and trucking companies alike are taking measures to balance the stats.

Read the full article about women in mobility by Maya Ben Dror and Maria Alonso at World Economic Forum.