MANILA, Philippines – In a survey conducted in 15 of the world’s largest capitals including New York, Manila came out #10 in having the most dangerous transportation system for traveling women.
In a poll conducted by the Thomson Reuters Foundation via YouGov, Bogota, Colombia ranked #1 worst city in the world, while New York came out on top as having the safest transport system for women.
Not included in the poll were five of the largest capitals in the world – Cairo, Dhaka, Kinshasa, Tehran, and Baghdad.
Safety at night and physical harassment were among the key problem areas for Manila. On the other hand, the city fared well in verbal harassment and public response to abuse.
Manila is #7 safest city in a poll conducted by Thomson Reuters and YouGov of the largest cities in the world in terms of transportation
Manila bested 6 other cities including the most populous city in the United States New York (#1) and the world’s largest capital Tokyo (#2).
A total of 6,555 women and experts were surveyed.
Below is the full list, from worst to best:
1 is the worst ranked
16 is the best
- Bogota, Colombia
- Mexico City, Mexico
- Lima, Peru
- New Delhi, India
- Jakarta, Indonesia
- Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Bangkok, Thailand
- Moscow, Russia
- Manila, Philippines
- Paris, France
- Seoul, South Korea
- London, England
- Beijing, China
- Tokyo, Japan
- New York, USA
The report comes amid issues involving traffic congestion and lack of efficient mass public transportation systems.
MRT 3 derails EDSA Taft station (photo by Ali Vicoy)
Earlier this year, the MRT3 railway system derailed during operation, hurting at least 30 passengers. The MRT3 has been plagued by numerous issues such as alleged corruption and incompetence of the contractors that were supposed to maintain it.
The friction between local government units LTFRB and MMDA over issues such as ride sharing service Uber has not helped.
Just las week the LTFRB conducted a sting operation that apprehended an Uber SUV driver.
The LTFRB conducted the sting operation over safety concerns and pressure from local taxi operators.
In the Philippines, mass public transportation systems require a license from LTFRB.
According to MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino, Uber is similar to limousine and other ride-for-hire services and should not be under the remit of the LTFRB.
Similar services such as GrabTaxi, GrabCar, and Easy Taxi are also also available in Metro Manila.
title is misleading. We are not the #7th best. The survey is still assuming that the last city on the list – New York – still receives reports about women being harassed, thus the need for constant supervision. And even in some of the other cities above us in the survey, the women still don't feel like passers-by would intervene if the need arose.
Why not just state the fact that we have the 10th worst public transport system for women instead of turning it around? This is not a glass half full situation. This is a statement of fact. Sugarcoating it won't help your readers, and it might give them a false sense of confidence when in fact they should actually be more careful.