Self-Assessment Tool for Gender-responsive Public Transport (SAT-GPT)

This self-assessment tool helps public transport service providers and mobility authorities identify strengths and gaps in mainstreaming gender in public transport across planning, implementation, operation, and monitoring. Esta herramienta de autoevaluación ayuda a los proveedores de servicios de transporte público y a las autoridades de movilidad a identificar los puntos fuertes y las oportunidades de mejora en la incorporación de la perspectiva de género en el transporte público en las etapas de planificación, implementación, operación y monitoreo. Cet outil d'auto-évaluation aide les prestataires de services de transport public et les autorités chargées de la mobilité à identifier les points forts et les possibilités d'amélioration dans l'intégration de la perspective de genre dans les transports publics aux stades de la planification, de la mise en œuvre, de l'exploitation et du suivi. Esta ferramenta de autoavaliação ajuda os prestadores de serviços de transporte público e as autoridades responsáveis pela mobilidade a identificar as oportunidades de melhoria e as lacunas na integração da perspectiva de gênero no transporte público nas fases de planejamento, implementação, operação e monitoramento.

Estimated time Preparation: gathering institutional information (time varies) Completion: ~10–20 minutes Tiempo estimado Preparación: recopilación de información institucional (el tiempo varía) Ejecución: ~10–20 minutos Temps estimé Préparation : collecte d’informations institutionnelles (le temps varie) Réalisation : ~10–20 minutes Tempo estimado Preparação: coleta de informações institucionais (o tempo varia) Realização: ~10–20 minutos

What is this tool? ¿Qué es esta herramienta? Qu’est-ce que cet outil? O que é esta ferramenta?

The Self-Assessment Tool for Gender-responsive Public Transport (SAT-GPT) supports institutions in identifying strengths and gaps in gender mainstreaming across public transport systems. It is designed as a practical, self-guided checklist to support institutional reflection and priority-setting. It helps institutions: La Herramienta de Autoevaluación para un Transporte Público con Enfoque de Género (SAT-GPT) ayuda a las instituciones a identificar sus puntos fuertes y oportunidades de mejora en la incorporación de la perspectiva de género en los sistemas de transporte público. Está diseñada como una lista de control práctica y autoguiada para apoyar la reflexión institucional y el establecimiento de prioridades. Ayuda a las instituciones a: L’Outil d’Autoévaluation pour un Transport Public Réactif au Genre (SAT-GPT) aide les institutions à identifier les points forts et les lacunes dans l'intégration de la perspective de genre dans les systèmes de transport public. Il s'agit d'une liste de contrôle pratique et autoguidée destinée à faciliter la réflexion institutionnelle et la définition des priorités. Il aide les institutions à : A Ferramenta de Autoavaliação para um Transporte Público com Perspectiva de Gênero (SAT-GPT) ajuda as instituições a identificar pontos fortes e lacunas na integração da perspectiva de gênero nos sistemas de transporte público. Trata-se de uma lista de verificação prática e autoguiada destinada a facilitar a reflexão institucional e a definição de prioridades. Ela ajuda as instituições a:

Prioritize action by identifying what to improve first. Priorizar acciones identificando qué es lo que hay que mejorar en primer lugar. Prioriser les actions en identifiant ce qui doit être amélioré en premier lieu. Priorizar ações identificando o que deve ser melhorado primeiro.

Improve access, comfort, and safety for women and other vulnerable groups. Mejorar el acceso, la comodidad y la seguridad de las mujeres y otros grupos vulnerables. Améliorer l'accès, le confort et la sécurité des femmes et des autres groupes vulnérables. Melhorar o acesso, o conforto e a segurança das mulheres e de outros grupos vulneráveis.

Create a baseline to track your progress over time. Crear una base de referencia con la que hacer un seguimiento a tu progresos a través del tiempo. Créer une base de référence pouvant être réutilisée au fil du temps pour suivre les progrès réalisés. Criar uma base de referência que pode ser reutilizada ao longo do tempo para acompanhar o progresso alcançado.

Important note Nota importante Remarque importante Nota importante

This tool is not an audit and does not rank cities or institutions. It is intended for internal learning and improvement. Esta herramienta no es una auditoría y no clasifica ciudades o instituciones. Está destinada al aprendizaje y la mejora internos. Cet outil n’est pas un audit et ne classe pas les villes ou les institutions. Il est destiné à l’apprentissage et à l’amélioration internes. Esta ferramenta não é uma auditoria e não classifica cidades ou instituições. Destina-se ao aprendizado e à melhoria internos.

Where change happens Donde se producen los cambios Où les changements ont-ils lieu Onde as mudanças ocorrem

Hover (desktop) or tap (mobile) to see what gender mainstreaming means at each stage. Pase el cursor (ordenador) o toque (móvil) para ver qué significa incorporar la perspectiva de género en cada etapa. Passez le curseur (ordinateur) ou touchez (mobile) pour voir ce que signifie l’intégration de la perspective de genre à chaque étape. Passe o cursor (computador) ou toque (celular) para ver o que significa integrar a perspectiva de gênero em cada etapa.

Before you start Antes de empezar Avant de commencer Antes de começar

Basic understanding of gender inequalities in transport (see Glossary if needed). Asegúrate de tener un conocimiento básico sobre las desigualdades de género en el transporte (consulte el Glosario si es necesario). Connaissances de base des inégalités de genre dans les transports (consultez le Glossaire si nécessaire). Conhecimentos básicos sobre as desigualdades de gênero nos transportes (consulte o Glossário se necessário).

Familiarity with your institution’s structure, roles, and responsibilities. En caso de que no lo estés, familiarizate con la estructura, las funciones y las responsabilidades de tu institución. Connaissance de la structure, des rôles et des responsabilités de votre institution. Familiaridade com a estrutura, as funções e as responsabilidades da sua instituição.

Access to relevant institutional information (ideally disaggregated by gender where possible).
If gender-disaggregated data is limited or fragmented, WMW’s Bridging the Gender Data Gap in Mobility offers principles and open insights to support reflection on what data is missing and why it's relevant. Asegurate de tener acceso a información institucional relevante (idealmente desagregada por género).
Si los datos desagregados por género son limitados o fragmentados, el recurso de WMW Bridging the Gender Data Gap in Mobility ofrece principios y perspectivas abiertas para reflexionar sobre qué datos faltan y por qué son relevantes. Accès à des informations institutionnelles pertinentes (idéalement ventilées par genre).
Si les données ventilées par genre sont limitées ou fragmentées, la ressource de WMW Bridging the Gender Data Gap in Mobility propose des principes et des perspectives ouvertes pour réfléchir aux données manquantes et à leur pertinence. Acesso a informações institucionais relevantes (idealmente desagregadas por gênero).
Se os dados desagregados por gênero forem limitados ou fragmentados, o recurso da WMW Bridging the Gender Data Gap in Mobility oferece princípios e perspectivas abertas para refletir sobre quais dados estão faltando e por que são relevantes.

Step-by-step Paso a paso Étape par étape Passo a passo

0 Gather relevant information across your institution (e.g. policies, practices, data and responsibilities). This preparation step may involve internal coordination and can take time, depending on data availability. Reúne información relevante de tu institución (por ejemplo, políticas, prácticas, datos y responsabilidades). Este paso de preparación puede implicar coordinación interna y llevar tiempo, según la disponibilidad de los datos. Rassemblez les informations pertinentes au sein de votre institution (par exemple politiques, pratiques, données et responsabilités). Cette étape de préparation peut nécessiter une coordination interne et prendre du temps, selon la disponibilité des données. Reúna informações relevantes da sua instituição (por exemplo, políticas, práticas, dados e responsabilidades). Esta etapa de preparação pode exigir coordenação interna e levar tempo, dependendo da disponibilidade dos dados. Tip: If useful, the self-assessment questions can be shared internally in advance to facilitate reflection and collective input. For support or to request the questions beforehand, contact women@transformative-mobility.org. Consejo: En caso de que lo necesites, las preguntas de la autoevaluación pueden compartirse internamente con antelación para facilitar la reflexión. Para obtener apoyo o solicitar las preguntas con antelación, escribe a women@transformative-mobility.org. Conseil : Si cela s’avère utile, les questions d’auto-évaluation peuvent être partagées en interne à l’avance afin de faciliter la réflexion et la contribution collective. Pour obtenir de l’aide ou demander les questions à l’avance, contactez women@transformative-mobility.org. Dica: Se for útil, as perguntas da autoavaliação podem ser partilhadas internamente com antecedência para facilitar a reflexão e a contribuição coletiva. Para obter apoio ou solicitar as perguntas antecipadamente, contacte women@transformative-mobility.org.
1 Select whether you are a Transport Service Provider or a Mobility Authority. Selecciona si eres un proveedor de servicios de transporte o una autoridad de movilidad. Indiquez si vous êtes un prestataire de services de transport ou une autorité de mobilité. Indique se é um prestador de serviços de transporte ou uma autoridade de mobilidade.
2 Answer based on actions and practices within your institution (not whether they are fully implemented citywide). Responde basándote en las acciones y prácticas de tu institución (no en si están plenamente implementadas a escala de ciudad). Répondez en vous basant sur les actions et pratiques de votre institution (et non sur leur mise en œuvre à l’échelle de la ville). Responda com base nas ações e práticas da sua instituição (e não na sua implementação em toda a cidade).
3 Choose one response per question. Elige una respuesta por pregunta. Choisissez une seule réponse par question. Escolha uma resposta por pergunta.
Yes Sí Oui Sim 2 Partially Parcialmente Partiellement Parcialmente 1 No No Non Não 0
4 Review your results: overall maturity level and scores by stage. Revisa tus resultados: nivel de madurez general y puntuaciones por etapa. Analysez vos résultats : niveau de maturité global et scores par étape. Revise os seus resultados: nível de maturidade global e pontuações por etapa.

This self-assessment is a starting point — it helps you identify priorities and track progress over time. Esta autoevaluación es un punto de partida: te ayuda a identificar prioridades y a hacer un seguimiento de los avances a lo largo del tiempo. Cette auto-évaluation constitue un point de départ : elle vous aide à identifier les priorités et à suivre les progrès dans le temps. Esta autoavaliação é um ponto de partida: ajuda a identificar prioridades e a acompanhar os progressos ao longo do tempo.

Glossary

This glossary is currently available in English only. Core concepts are shown first. Expand for more terms.

Accessibility and Quality of Infrastructure

Refers to the extent to which facilities and services are optimally designed and operated to ensure a satisfactory and equitable experience for all users, especially women and other vulnerable groups.

Active participation of women

Recognizing women as an important actor in the planning and operation of transport services—not only from a user's point of view.

Harassment / violence

Refers to any form of unwanted, intimidating or violent behavior—verbal, physical or sexual—often directed toward women and gender-diverse people. A feminist perspective seeks to eradicate these forms of violence and promote a safe, respectful, inclusive transport environment for all users.

Inclusion

Ensuring all genders have equal access, safety and comfort in transport. It includes considering the specific needs of women and gender-diverse people in design and operations, preventing gender-based harassment and violence, and promoting gender equity in all aspects of public transport.

Mobility of care

Trips made to care for others (e.g., children, elderly people, people who are sick). A feminist approach recognizes and values care work—often performed by women—and supports public transport systems that are accessible, safe, and responsive to these needs.

Travel experience

Comprehensive qualitative perception experienced by women and their dependents during a trip. It is shaped by comfort, safety (inside and outside the system), time invested, staff treatment, and availability of relevant information for effective decision-making.

Complementary elements of transportation systems

Aspects such as adequate lighting, clear signage, accessible and safe infrastructure, and user services that consider the needs of women and people of diverse gender. These elements aim to improve safety, accessibility and comfort, promoting a more inclusive and equitable travel experience.

Comfort

Quality that implies safe, equitable and respectful access. It includes personal safety, prevention of harassment, accessibility, and consideration of gender-specific needs in the design and operation of transport.

Demand for service

The need for transport services that are accessible, safe, comfortable and equitable for all genders. It involves recognizing and responding to women's and gender-diverse people's mobility needs (e.g., flexible schedules, safe routes, appropriate vehicles) to ensure an inclusive public transport service.

Dependent persons

Individuals who require assistance for mobility, such as children, older people, and people with disabilities. Feminist inclusion seeks safe, comfortable and dignified access, considering specific needs and promoting supportive infrastructure and policies.

Difference between gender and feminism

Gender refers to social and cultural constructs surrounding gender identities. Feminism is a movement with a political dimension that challenges gender inequalities and promotes equality and justice for all people.

Disaggregation of data

Data analysis that distinguishes between different genders and needs. This approach identifies gender inequalities in transport access and use and supports planning more inclusive and equitable transport services.

Feminist urbanism

Planning and design of cities and transport systems that consider the needs and experiences of women and gender-diverse people. It promotes gender equity in urban mobility, ensures safe and equitable access, and recognizes care-related mobility.

Gender

The characteristics and roles associated with men and women are shaped by cultural norms, expectations and values that vary over time and among different societies.

Gender inequalities

Systematic and unfair disparities in opportunities, resources, power and treatment between people of different gender identities. They are reinforced by social, cultural and economic norms and can shape access to education, the labor market, politics, family relations and representation.

Gender perspectives (as defined in the IKI guidelines)

Gender-negative: intentionally defends and reinforces unequal gender roles, relations, norms and discrimination.
Gender-blind: ignores unequal gender roles, rights, responsibilities, relationships, norms and gender-based discrimination and likely defends them.
Gender-sensitive: recognizes unequal gender roles, relations and norms, but does not address them or addresses them only marginally.
Gender-responsive: actively addresses the negative consequences of unequal gender roles, relations and norms.
Gender-transformative: addresses the underlying causes and social, structural or value-based roots of unequal gender roles, power relations and norms.

Intermodality

Points designed to facilitate shifts from one mode of transport to another. Walking, public transport and intermodal travel are central to women's lives, while men often make more linear home–work journeys. For people living in suburbs, intermodal integration is especially relevant to access opportunities concentrated in central areas.

Intersectional perspective

Intersectionality highlights how gender interacts with other factors such as race, class, age or disability, shaping different experiences and inequalities. The concept was coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw (1989) and builds on Black feminist movements. In Latin America, Black women often face multiple disadvantages in transport quality and access compared to other groups.

Labor Participation in the Transportation Sector

Active and equitable integration of women across the sector, including operational, technical and managerial roles. It includes actions and policies that remove barriers, promote inclusive environments, support leadership opportunities, and ensure working conditions meet women's specific needs.

Modal distribution and unseen care trips

“Modal split” describes how trips are distributed across modes, but it often fails to recognize “care trips” (e.g., taking children to school, accompanying relatives, household-related tasks). Standard travel-motive categories can dilute care-related mobility, while results often focus on the main mode, making care travel less visible.

Mobility of Care (travel patterns)

Commuting patterns associated with unpaid care activities mainly performed by women. This includes chain trips and the need for conditions that facilitate intermodality to fulfill tasks related to caring for dependents (children, older people, people with disabilities).

Public and Internal Policies and Regulations

Guidelines and regulations that integrate gender equality into public transport. They ensure the needs and experiences of all people—especially women and their dependents—are addressed across planning, implementation, operation and monitoring.

Race

A socially constructed concept. Racial categories vary across cultures and do not have a solid scientific basis. Perceptions of race are shaped by historical narratives, political power and ideologies and have been used to justify oppression and hierarchy.

Security

A state of integral well-being beyond the absence of physical threats. It includes personal, emotional, economic and social security. In a feminist context, it includes eliminating gender discrimination and violence, including harassment and discrimination in public life and workplaces.

Technical studies with a gender perspective

Research and analysis that considers gender differences in transport use and access. It identifies barriers faced by women and gender-diverse people and informs more inclusive and equitable transport policies and systems.

Work overload

The overburdening of women with household and care-related work compared to men, driven by entrenched gender norms that assign women disproportionate responsibility for unpaid domestic work and care.

Assess your transport system Evalúa tu sistema de transporte Évaluez votre système de transport Avalie o seu sistema de transporte

Cities advancing feminist transport systems

These cities are using the Self-Assessment Tool as a starting point to reflect on how just, inclusive, and gender-responsive their transport systems are. Their experiences illustrate how feminist approaches to transport can be applied in different institutional and local contexts.

Has your city or institution also used this tool? We would love to hear from you. Sharing experiences helps make feminist transport work visible, learn across contexts, and strengthen collective action. Get in touch at women@transformative-mobility.org.

Acknowledgements

This self-assessment tool is the result of a collective and collaborative process that has evolved over several years, building on the work, experience, and shared learning of feminist practitioners, researchers, and transport professionals.

The foundations of this work were laid in 2020, when Women in Motion – Mujeres en Movimiento (WIM) together with Hivos en Despacio developed the methodology Open Contracting for Gender-Sensitive Public Transportation. The aim was to identify gender-sensitive criteria and indicators to support more inclusive public transport systems through open data and improved contracting processes. This work responded to a long-standing need expressed by cities and practitioners for clearer structures and practical guidance to integrate a gender perspective into public transport projects, particularly in contexts with limited technical expertise on gender and mobility.

Building on this foundation, the methodology was further developed through applied research and collaboration with cities in Mexico, Costa Rica, and Colombia. These efforts helped deepen the understanding of local institutional dynamics, data gaps, and operational constraints, and highlighted the importance of translating gender concepts into concrete, actionable guidance for both authorities and service providers.

This tool was subsequently piloted in Cali, Colombia, in collaboration with MetroCali, within an existing institutional commitment to gender mainstreaming. The piloting process highlighted both the value of the tool and the challenges institutions face, such as fragmented data, sectoral silos, and limited awareness of how seemingly “neutral” elements, like lighting, infrastructure design, or operational practices, shape gendered mobility experiences.

An international webinar marked the public launch of the tool, creating space to share lessons learned and engage a broader global audience. These exchanges reinforced the tool’s role as a practical entry point for reflection, learning, and dialogue, rather than a ranking or audit mechanism.

This work was supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), reflecting Germany’s commitment to feminist development policy and to addressing the structural causes of inequality through inclusive and gender-responsive approaches, including in the transport sector.

This self-assessment tool was made possible by the individuals and organizations listed below, whose expertise, shared learning, and long-term commitment to advancing just and gender-responsive transport systems shaped its development.