“When women move forward, cities move forward.” With this message, Additional Chief Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department, Smt. Usha Padhee underscored the importance of gender‑responsive urban mobility at the Shakti Summit 2026: State WCD Leadership Conclave in Bhubaneswar.
Speaking on the theme “Initiatives by Odisha towards Gender Mainstreaming in Urban Mobility”, Padhee highlighted that safe, reliable and accessible transport is central to women’s ability to pursue education, employment, healthcare and entrepreneurship.
She stressed that gender mainstreaming must begin at the planning stage and continue through implementation and service delivery, with focus on safe public transport, pedestrian‑friendly infrastructure, adequate lighting, last‑mile connectivity and responsive services.
In a symbolic moment, Padhee introduced her female driver to the audience, calling her a living example of women breaking stereotypes in traditionally male‑dominated professions.
She emphasised that women should be seen not only as beneficiaries but also as active participants and decision‑makers in the transport sector. Greater representation of women across the mobility workforce, she noted, would help create safer, more responsive services.
“The best way to design a city for women is to listen to women,” she said, urging consultation, evidence‑based planning and continuous feedback from women users of public transport and public spaces.
Odisha’s approach, she added, must align with a larger vision of inclusive, people‑centric urban development, where infrastructure, technology and governance converge to make cities safer, more accessible and more liveable.
Her address reinforced a clear message: gender‑responsive mobility is about enabling women to participate fully in the economic, social and civic life of the city.
