When embracing gender equality endangers women: Experiences of public transport female conductors in Gweru Town, Zimbabwe

Abstract

This article examines the experiences of female conductors in the public transport sector, particularly the parastatal, Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO) regarding gender equality and women empowerment using the case of Gweru town. It employs the concept of women empowerment as its analytical framework and is based on qualitative research methods involving in-depth interviews with 15 participants comprising female conductors and male drivers. The article argues that the implementation of gender equality policies in the public transport sector without addressing misogynistic attitudes driven by patriarchal norms endangers women rather than empowering them. It found that ZUPCO female conductors experienced humiliating informal initiation into the job, negative labelling, inability to reconcile work and family and sexual abuse and harassment, which undermined the noble goal of enhancing gender equality in the public transport sector. Regardless of these negative effects, female conductors also enjoyed some degree of empowerment through employment and monetary gain, which gave them economic independence. The article concludes that the negative outcomes of embracing gender equality through women’s employment in the public transport sector outweighed the benefits.