Santaco calls for women’s safety to be prioritised in taxi industry
Santaco says women's safety must become a standard part of how the taxi industry operates.
South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) has called for women's safety to be prioritised within the taxi industry, rather than being addressed through isolated campaigns. This stance was expressed at the Santaco Women National Safe Mobility and Empowerment Summit held in Kempton Park, where numerous women from the transport sector convened.
Nobuhle Mazolo, Santaco's women advisor and legal advisor, emphasized the importance of incorporating basic safety measures in taxi ranks. These measures include ensuring adequate lighting and maintaining clean and safe toilets for all women who rely on public transportation. Mazolo stressed that safety should not just be about squeezing more passengers into a taxi but ensuring that the cramped conditions do not compromise a woman's comfort.
She also highlighted the need to prevent any form of inappropriate touching or harassment from men, whether they are passengers or drivers. According to Mazolo, safety encompasses a broad spectrum, encompassing commuters, farmworkers, and women involved in various transport-related businesses. She stressed that this includes preventing theft and ensuring that women's belongings remain secure at all times.
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