SANTACO Women has launched a national summit in Gauteng focused on women’s safety, gender-based violence and participation in the taxi industry.
The programme began with an awareness campaign at Kempton Park Taxi Rank before moving to a summit at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg.
Government officials, transport leaders and community organisations joined discussions on passenger safety, treatment of women in public transport and the prevention of gender-based violence in taxi environments.
SANTACO spokesperson Rebecca Phala said safe mobility included women being able to board taxis without verbal abuse, harassment or other forms of victimisation.
Summit also considers industry participation
The programme included women’s leadership in the taxi industry and economic opportunities for women, young people, people with disabilities and LGBTQIA+ communities.
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy and Gauteng Roads and Transport MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela were among the government representatives expected at the event.
The summit was held as South Africa concluded Women’s Month. SANTACO Women said it wanted transport operators, commuters, government and communities to work together on safer travel and reporting abuse.
No new binding taxi-industry safety rules were announced in the material available on Monday afternoon.
