Increased opportunities for women in transport

Transport minister, Dipuo Peters, has encouraged women to take advantage of the opportunities available in the transport sector.

As government invests R12.5-billion in non-toll road networks and builds the R573, the Minister says she wants women to reap the benefits.

Speaking at the ‘Transport Sector, Moving Women Empowerment and Transformation Forward’ summit held in Johannesburg last week, Peters told delegates that there were opportunities for women as government would invest R19 billion in the integrated public transport networks of the Bus Rapid Transit system over the next few years and Transnet would be investing more than R300 billion to improve rail and ports infrastructure.

Minister Peters said a lot still needed to be done in the transport sector to address the challenges of gender equality.

“One of examples of barriers to entry into the transport industry is the challenge that faces women in entering the taxi industry. Although the taxi industry has boomed since the advent of democracy, very limited gains have been made in terms of women involvement,” she said.

“We need to look at the permitting regimes to make it possible to create an environment where women can inherit this particular business,” she said.

The summit for women in transport has brought together women from across South Africa to formulate a solid strategy, plan and time frames regarding tangible economic transformation and empowerment opportunities for women in the transport sector.