Dr. Didacienne Mukanyiligira, the Head of Masters at African Centre of Excellence in Internet of Things (ACEIoT) has won a grant to research on improving transportation systems for women in Rwanda. The grant will be provided by Carleton University, based in Canada.

This case study seeks to develop a framework of guidelines for safer transportation for vulnerable populations in Kigali City. The proposal defines vulnerable as including women, people with disabilities, the elderly, and children.

Countries are trying to include gender in the design of their transport systems, Rwanda being one of them is actively implementing gender equity and considering vulnerable groups in all newly design systems. However, the concept of gender in terms of childcare, elder care, persons with disability and pregnant women has been poorly configured into the public bus transport design.
Through structured and semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and surveys, this project seeks to understand how transit user groups, with a focus on women, utilize the transportation systems.

Dr. Didacienne Mukanyiligira, the Principal Investigator says that results from this research will provide Rwanda with a gendered transport framework. “This framework will enable Rwanda to use research-based evidence to guide vision and strategic plan for development of the Rwandan transport system”, she said.
She added, “The research will raise awareness about the needs of gendered/vulnerability based designed transport and provide guidelines and recommendations to policy makers and stakeholders on how to expand and improve the transport system, to deliver a better and safer experience to vulnerable groups, including women” .The data to be collected will include number and length of trips, what participants travel with, and whether participants travel are accompanied” she said.

It is expected that the project will start from September 2020 to April 2022.