Framework To Increase Women's Inclusion In Transportation Sector Launched

SINGAPORE, Oct 9 (Bernama) -- The APEC Women in Transportation Task Force, recognising the full potential of women as economic actors in the global economy, has launched a framework to increase women’s inclusion in the transportation sector. The task force said a forum, themed, 'Navigating a Way Forward' which was held in Cebu, Philippines, explored how member economies and the private sector could use the framework as a way to develop concrete policies and innovative measures to further enhance women's economic empowerment. "The framework sets up guidance for the transportation sector to promote education; remove barriers to hiring and entrepreneurship; enhance conditions for the retention of women's talent; advocate for the development of women leaders; and, encourage safe use and access to transportation systems," it said in a statement here Thursday. Philippine Transportation and Communications Secretary, Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya, told the group that women's access to markets and technology eliminated barriers that hinderere women's economic participation, and ensured women's equal opportunities. "This participation benefits innovative development, economic reform and growth. Transportation allows for horizontal mobility, making the physical movement of people and goods from point to point simpler and, more enduringly, it allows for vertical mobility, uplifting women’s conditions by providing an avenue for them to strategically address their needs," he said. Six economies have expressed interest in piloting the framework in 2016, the task force said. The forum is organised by the Philippines and the US. --BERNAMA