SIGMI Conference on Sustainable & Inclusive Mobility - Women in Mobility by Seama Mowri

SIGMI Conference on Sustainable & Inclusive Mobility - Women in Mobility by Seama Mowri

🎙 Seama Mowri 👥 37 📅 April 26, 2021 ⏱ 27 min 👁 233 📄 expert opinion 🧭 2026-10-09
Available in: English (current) Français

Keywords

gendermobilityinclusiontransport povertyDhaka

Summary

In this conference presentation, Seama Mowri, a PhD researcher from TU Berlin, discusses the challenges and realities of women’s mobility in the Global South, using Dhaka, Bangladesh, as a case study. She argues that while women are visibly present on the streets, their access to the city is conditional and constrained by social, economic, and safety factors. She introduces concepts such as ’transport poverty’, ’time poverty’, and the ‘conditional access’ that women experience. The presentation highlights how transport infrastructure and planning often ignore the needs of vulnerable populations, including women, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Mowri critiques the male-dominated decision-making processes and the fragmentation of governance across multiple ministries. She also discusses the role of technology and digital solutions, noting that they often act as ‘digital chaperones’ rather than addressing root causes. She concludes by outlining her research methods, which include life histories, GIS mapping, and photovoice, and calls for more collaborative and inclusive approaches to urban mobility planning.

160 words

Critical Evaluation

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The presentation offers valuable insights into the intersection of gender, mobility, and urban planning, particularly in the context of developing countries. The argumentation is structured and coherent, building from a personal anecdote to theoretical frameworks and empirical examples. The speaker effectively uses visual aids and case studies to illustrate her points. However, the argument relies heavily on qualitative observations and personal narrative, and while she cites some studies, the evidence base is not exhaustive. The discussion of ‘conditional access’ and ’transport poverty’ is compelling, and the call for inclusive planning is well-supported. The strengths include the clear articulation of the problem and the proposal of a multi-level conceptual model. Some limitations include the lack of quantitative data and the reliance on a single city case, though the speaker acknowledges that similar issues exist across the Global South.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The speaker demonstrates scientific rigor by referencing relevant international agreements (UN Habitat) and empirical studies (Reuters Foundation, BRAC). She clarifies that her research is ongoing, which adds honesty to her claims. The title of the video accurately reflects the content, as it is a conference talk focused on women in mobility. The sources are appropriately used: she cites specific studies to back her claims about harassment and safety, and she mentions the conceptual model by Creswell and Jones. However, she does not provide detailed citations or a references list, which could be a limitation for viewers seeking to verify sources. Despite this, the overall quality of the sources and their integration into the argument is good.

268 words

Title / Content Match

The title accurately reflects the content: a conference talk on women in mobility within a sustainable and inclusive mobility context.

Quality & Reliability

7/10

The speaker is a PhD researcher with a clear methodological framework, citing specific studies (Reuters Foundation, BRAC) and international agreements (UN Habitat). However, the presentation is largely a conceptual overview with limited empirical data, and some claims are based on personal experience rather than systematic evidence.

Key Moments

Cited Sources

  • MicroEnergy Research Group — Mentioned in description as related institution
  • UN Habitat — Referenced in the talk regarding international mandates

Concurring Sources

  • Reuters Foundation study on women's safety in cities — Cited in the talk regarding Dhaka ranking as seventh most dangerous megacity for women

Contribution & Novelties

The talk provides a nuanced perspective on women’s mobility in the Global South, emphasizing ‘conditional access’ and the interplay of social, economic, and safety factors. It highlights the concept of ’transport poverty’ and critiques the male-dominated planning processes. The speaker introduces a three-level conceptual model (micro, meso, macro) to understand exclusion. The originality lies in the focus on Dhaka and the integration of gender analysis with mobility studies.

Pour aller plus loin :

  • Gender and Transport — Related concept of how gender affects mobility patterns.
  • Transport poverty — Key term used in the talk.
  • Photovoice — Research method mentioned as part of future work.

104 words

Radar Profile

The profile shows high scores in information quantity and quality, with moderate technical depth. The fiabilité is slightly lower due to reliance on personal observations and limited cited data. Overall, a well-balanced expert opinion presentation.

Reliability 6/10