Building a foundation to lift all women.
Gender Diversity Requires Intentionality
Women comprise only 15% of a 14.8 million transportation workforce, and even fewer are in executive and decision-making roles, according to a Mineta Transportation Institute study. That same study found that attracting women to non-traditional female industries relies on the perception of the diversity of the organization, early connections with students, incentives, flexible workplaces, a welcoming culture and connection to congruent communal goals.
Successfully promoting women in the transportation industry requires opportunities for advancement, availability of role models (especially female ones) and retaining women in transportation industry can be related to actual workplace culture, clear steps to advancement and availability of ongoing mentorship and succession planning.
Why is this Important?
U.S. Census data shows that from 2005 to 2019, the proportion of women in transportation occupations only increased by 3%. Additionally, access to transportation is directly linked to economic opportunity; and yet, women are at a considerable disadvantage:
• Women spend more on transportation than men as they balance work, home, and family trips
• Women’s safety concerns reduce their transportation options
• Women’s economic opportunities are reduced because of inequities in transportation
MobilityXX Mission & Vision
MobilityXX, a partnership of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America), The Ray and WTS International , is engaging the broader transportation industry to increase the number of women from all backgrounds in the transportation workforce by 10% over the next ten years. #10in10. We are moved to act by the simple fact that women make up only 15 percent of the nation's transportation workforce, which numbers nearly 15 million. We believe that to effectively solve the complex challenges of the transportation industry, all perspectives are valuable and essential - including yours.
How?
Educate stakeholders and managers on the issues of gender inequality in the mobility ecosystem.
Demand accountability and commitment from corporate leadership.
Elevate leaders, planners, and doers. Build networking, training and incubator opportunities to fast-track C-suite, CEO and mobility business pipelines for women. Build a coalition to support transportation policies and solutions that accelerate equitable and sustainable mobility.
More from MobilityXX
The Mobility XX Pledge: organizational commitment to change.
Coming Soon: CEO Coalitions for Change for public and private sector transportation CEOs committed to make meaningful strides in diversity, equity and inclusion in order to become a more inclusive industry and leverage diverse talent.
Coming Soon: Pipeline acceleration through strategic partnerships with female academic leaders to provide female university STEM students with internships and hands-on experience in transportation careers.