Gendered mobilities of Central Asian women in Germany through the perspective of public transport

This paper examines mobility issues for Central Asian women migrants in Berlin’s public transport system. Adapting involves social, legal and socio-physical challenges in navigating transit citywide. Research explores these issues from two angles. First, it compares how mobility experiences differ from using public transport in Central Asia. In Germany, public transit is more gender-friendly, supporting women migrants’ ‘mobility justice’ – their rights to travel. However, women sometimes face insecurity from intoxicated male passengers. Their avoidance strategies help them overcome fear and continue seeking mobility justice despite challenges. Second, it shows that the travel experiences of recent arrivals differ from those of longer-established Central Asian women migrants in certain ways. Newcomers mainly rely on public transport to commute between their homes and workplaces. In contrast, women who have lived in Berlin longer tend to have more complex travel patterns and transport modes, including private cars. In the long run, this experience provides them with greater social capital to navigate their mobility more effectively than when they were newcomers. By highlighting these differences, research can assist transport agencies to improve passenger safety, especially for women on public transit.