POLIS launches its Women's History Month 2025 campaign!
Women’s History Month 2025 is here! To mark the occasion, POLIS is launching an exciting campaign during International Women’s Day, running throughout March. This year’s theme, #AccelerateAction, calls for greater momentum in breaking down the systemic barriers and biases that women continue to face—both in their personal lives and professional journeys.
This year’s International Women's Day theme is a clear call to action: Accelerate Action to fast-track global gender equality, ensuring no woman is left behind.
At the current pace, the World Economic Forum warns that full equality will not be reached until 2158—five generations from now. In the transport sector, women remain vastly underrepresented, holding just 23% of senior leadership roles, making up 16.8% of the global workforce, and 22% in the European Union. As we approach the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in 2025, we are reminded of both how far we have come and how much work still lies ahead.
However, there is both hope and urgency. 'Accelerate Action' is not just about awareness—it is about taking bold, measurable steps toward lasting impact. With collective action and knowledge exchange remaining the most powerful tools for driving real change on the ground, it is now time to advocate for long-term solutions that guarantee equal rights for all.
Why does gender matter in mobility?
Mobility is about more than movement: it is about access, opportunity, and equality at its core. Yet, transport systems are far from gender-neutral, often reinforcing the same societal inequalities that shape access to jobs, education, healthcare, and public spaces.
Women in transport face multiple barriers to entry, career progression, and retention in the sector.
There can be no truly sustainable mobility transition without gender equality. While awareness is growing and progress is being made, transport systems still fail to fully recognise and accommodate women's needs as equal, primary users. From ensuring women's safety in public transport to understanding how gender shapes our cities, promoting gender-sensitive planning, and supporting comprehensive research, we must address the deep-rooted barriers women face - not just manage their symptoms. That is why POLIS is driving targeted action, ensuring this issue remains at the forefront of the transport agenda.
Through the Just Transition (JT) Taskforce, POLIS is advocating for inclusivity to be a fundamental aspect of urban mobility policies, rather than just an optional extra. We are also turning discussions into real action through our advocacy work. Our projects play a key role in these efforts—from ELABORATOR's 'Inclusion Plan' to SCALE's webinar on gender diversity, SOLUTIONSplus' focus on gender mainstreaming in knowledge exchange, and contributions from projects like MOBI-MIX, UPPER, and many more. There is still a long way to go, but change is certainly underway.
Big cities, big moves
Our POLIS members are driving change through various initiatives, with women leading the transition.
Cities are far from neutral; they are complex ecosystems that reflect and reinforce the inequalities present in everyday life. While gender equality remains a global challenge, cities worldwide—including our POLIS members—are driving change through various initiatives, with women leading this transition.
For nearly 30 years, Vienna has led the way in gender mainstreaming, inspiring cities like Berlin and Barcelona. It began in the 1990s with a photography exhibition highlighting women’s mobility challenges, sparking over 60 initiatives—from better street lighting to wider pavements. A 1999 transport survey revealed gender differences in city navigation, driving inclusive urban planning. This commitment dates back to 1992, when the Aspern neighbourhood was designed with women’s needs in mind—an approach now embedded in policy and enforcement.
Barcelona places diversity at the forefront of its strategies, having incorporated a feminist perspective into over 400 policies, including its 'Gender Justice and Interculturality Plan' and the 'La Mirada' project. Led by a team of six women, 'La Mirada' focuses on improving transport with a gender lens. Catalonia shares this commitment, prioritising gender-responsive transport planning. In April 2024, the region approved its 'Gender Strategic Master Plan', introducing 43 measures to tackle gender-based violence in transport, promote gender parity, and address women’s specific mobility needs.
Also in Spain, Madrid is making strides in addressing the gender gap in transport and STEM. EMT Madrid, Iberdrola, and Comillas University launched a Chair to promote women in STEM, focusing on vocational training for sustainable mobility. Launched in 2020, the initiative aims to improve women’s access to STEM education and careers, from early education to vocational training, with a focus on sustainable mobility. It involves collaboration across sectors and centres on research, workshops, reports, and discussions to drive change.
Accelerating action is not about one-size-fits-all solutions—it is about innovation and tailored approaches. From gender-equal bike-sharing schemes to tackling gender-based harassment and fostering discussions on inclusivity, other equally inspiring cities like Paris, London, Manchester, and Glasgow are also proving that real change is possible.
SMCs are also walking the talk
It is not just large cities and capitals that are leading the way—Small and Medium-Sized Cities (SMCs) are also driving meaningful change. Through innovative initiatives, they are identifying and challenging how mobility systems overlook and marginalise women.
Gender mainstreaming in urban mobility means considering gendered travel patterns, safety, vehicle design, and identity factors that shape women's transport experiences.
Leuven is part of FemCities network, which is focused on advancing gender equality in European cities. The city actively promotes inclusion through its Women’s Empowerment Council and Rainbow Policy Plan, both of which work to prevent exclusion and raise gender awareness in public services. In Italy, Bologna is leading by example with its Municipality Charter, aimed at eliminating discrimination based on sex, gender identity, and other factors. Since 2012, the city has implemented an annual Positive Action Plan, introduced diversity management initiatives, adhered to a Code of Conduct, and published a yearly Gender Balance report to monitor progress.
Last but not least, Arnhem Nijmegen has shown its commitment by researching the key barriers to gender mainstreaming and exploring practical solutions to drive tangible change.
Looking ahead: Moving beyond promises
Creating truly equal cities takes more than words—it requires bold, transformative action. While there may be no one-size-fits-all solution, the inspiring examples above prove that progress is possible. The road ahead may be challenging, but change is within reach - if we are ready to take the necessary steps.
This month, POLIS will be shining a spotlight on our ongoing efforts to advance gender equality in transport. From an internal roundtable exploring key challenges and opportunities to a special feature on an inspiring member—plus a few surprises—March is set to be an exciting month. Stay tuned!
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