Side Event: Care, Climate and Mobility: Why Gender-Responsive Transport Is Essential for Just Climate Action

Sylvia Beales - governing body member for Gray Panthers/SGA - spoke on behalf of the RCEM in relation to ageing, gender, climate change and transport at the side event on 22 April organised by the Centre for Research and Policy Making and the Gender Budget Watchdog Network.

The event focused on the need for care, gender and sensitive and inclusive data to be foundational for gender sensitive and climate-smart transport in Eastern Europe. Keynote input was given by Timco Mucunski, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Macedonia, Ștefania Deák, Head of Service, Sustainable Development Coordination and Implementation Service, Government of Romania and Elise Fernandez, UN Women Deputy Regional Director. Results of a 7-country study were given by Alexandru Gribincera, Keystone Moldova.

Gender Budget Watchdog Network and Dragana Dardić, Helsinki Citizens' Parliament gave results on surveys on transport use in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Sylvia highlighted why rapid population ageing in the region (approx 22% of the population and rising in all countries, with women living longest) demands policymakers and planners to ensure that transport and data is fully age and disability sensitive. Older women make up the majority of older persons in cities, are primary users of public transport, have low incomes, may have disabilities but shoulder heavy care duties for young and old. The health of older people can be disproportionately affected by climate change impacts of extreme heat, ice, flooding, and degraded air quality. It is clear that the connection between healthy ageing and climate and age-sensitive transport needs requires age and gender inclusive participation in surveys and the filling of data gaps. Organisers requested information on age-friendly tools and experiences, and the link to healthy ageing (see https://extranet.who.int/agefriendlyworld/age-friendly-practices/transportation/)

Conclusions echoed those given by RCEM in the SDG 11 peer group session fo planners to prioritise inclusion and participation for all in transport development and data gathering, and to stay connected between the organisers and the RCEM for future work at the national level.