An elephant in the bus: Violence against women

Gender-based violence (GBV) on public transport is a daily reality for many women and often goes unreported, which further worsens its impact on women’s mobility and well-being. Using survey data from Cairo, Egypt, this study reveals that safety and security concerns are the most significant barriers to women’s use of public transport. In the context of limited affordable alternatives, many women are forced to continue using unsafe public transit despite the risks, resulting in severe consequences for the affected women, including inaccessibility and social exclusion, financial stress, and psychological trauma. GBV in transit leads to lost opportunities, reduced participation in activities, and entrenched exclusion. Open-ended responses from participants underscore how structural and cultural norms shape these experiences; for instance, prevalent social perceptions and unclear legal definitions of harassment perpetuate under-reporting and impunity. Based on the findings, we recommend a bottom-up prevention strategy that integrates technological, social, and institutional interventions.