A Gendered Perspective of the Shelter–Transport–Livelihood Link: The Case of Poor Women in Delhi

Abstract

Women form an important part of the workforce originating from the slums in the city of Delhi, India. The paper illustrates that women spend more time travelling on slower modes of transport to access work; the faster modes are more expensive. Their time–poverty demands they look for work at shorter distances from home. The basic argument presented is that their ability to contribute to the alleviation of their standard of living and their status in society is severely curtailed by their limited mobility and the constrained accessibility to the transport system of the city. This transport deprivation becomes further exacerbated by the process of forced eviction and relocation of low‐income households to the periphery of the city, causing the women to lose livelihood opportunities.

Acknowledgements

This work has been partially supported by the Volvo Research and Educational Foundations.

Notes

1. The productive sphere of activities refers to the production of goods and services for consumption and trade. This work is visible and economically valued, although work carried out by women even in the productive sphere is often undervalued relative to men’s work. Reproductive work encompasses all activities that maintain and care for the household and its members. The nature, intensity and scope of women’s reproductive work are rarely taken into consideration, are not reflected in official data and remain unpaid work (Amgalan and Oyunchimeg, 2003).

2. A token system is the allotment scheme promoted by the then Prime Minister V. P. Singh to distribute land in the slum.

3. Ration cards are issued by the city authorities as a proof of legitimate residence in the city and are used as the official tools to access not only the amenities and facilities in the city, but also the driver’s license and the right to vote. They are indicative of both identity and residency.

4. The child labour laws in India forbid employment of anyone under 14 years of age.

5. SC and ST refer to the specific castes and tribes listed in the Constitution of India, which are considered backward and oppressed and are given special privileges and reservations in official dealings to enable their upliftment.

6. Currency conversion: US$1.00 ≈Rs43.50.