SA women commuters at risk daily in taxis, ranks

SIXTY-nine percent of women who use public taxis and taxi ranks have witnessed violence and harassment‚ according to a survey conducted by advocacy group ActionAid South Africa.

ActionAid SA also found that 56% said they had experienced violence.

A third of the women surveyed said the solution was to create awareness about women’s right to use safe public transport‚ while others said more security was needed.

The research was conducted last year as part of a campaign by ActionAid SA‚ the City of Johannesburg and the South African National Taxi Council to mark Global Safe Cities Day.

ActionAid SA cited the research in a statement released on Thursday after reports this week that several women had been raped on taxis in Gauteng.

“Poor street lighting‚ a lack of buses and stops‚ all-male transport staff‚ lack of public toilets and inadequate policing has created an environment where sexual violence against women in the city can thrive,” ActionAid SA said.

The organisation’s campaigns and communications coordinator Katherine Robinson said: “We welcome government’s commitment to gender equality‚ but we need to see this translated into investment in public services that account for everybody’s needs. More tax‚ well spent‚ can help make this happen.” — TMG