Gender differentials, vulnerability and mobility stress coping strategies in Nigeria.

Abstract

The exploding rate of growth of vulnerable groups and transport insecurity in developing cities poses great
challenges to planners and policy makers. In the light of this, the paper examined vulnerability and mobility
stress coping strategies differentials among male and female in a developing city-Lagos, Nigeria. The study
used primary data, which were obtained through a questionnaire survey of 356 respondents in Lagos. Indices of
individual coping strategies and the weighted sum reflecting frequency and severity of respondents mobility
stress coping strategies were used as a proxy for indicating the vulnerability of male and female respondents to
mobility stress. Variables used include socio-economic characteristics such as number of vehicle in household,
purpose of daily trip, number of trips, trip distance, travel time, income, age and travel difficulties. The result
shows that female respondents were more vulnerable to mobility stress than the male. Sources of stress are
basically associated with travel difficulties. There was higher prevalence of long- waiting at bus stop, prolong
travel time, uncomfortable means of travel and expensive cost of travel among female respondents. This implies
that female respondents had less access to and utilization of comfortable services transport and are therefore
more transport -in secure than their male counterpart. The paper emphasis the need to improve the current state
of transport infrastructures in the country. Female and their counterparts (male) need transport enlightenment in
order for them to be able to cope with stressful mobility conditions.