Gender disparities in travel behaviour and leisure: A Tel-Aviv metropolis time-use study

Source abstract

Achieving gender equality in mobility and leisure is essential to enhancing quality of life and well-being, therefore intersectional gender discrepancies in daily live relating to travel and time use must be addressed. This study examines gender disparities in daily travel behaviour, time spent outside the home, and leisure activities among cultural groups in the Tel Aviv metropolis, using a time-use framework. Leveraging travel survey data (2014–2017) from 24,359 individuals across 12,930 households, the intersection of gender, cultural identity, and socio-economic factors is explored. Results indicate that women, particularly those in caregiving roles or from Arab and Orthodox Jewish communities, face greater mobility constraints and complexities than their male counterparts. Women perform more trip-chaining activities, such as chauffeuring and shopping, but spend on average 1.1 h less outside the home per day than men (6.98 vs. 8.09 h), and make fewer non-home based trips (3.36 vs. 4.33 per day). Notably, higher education and flexible employment correlate with increased mobility and leisure engagement for women, suggesting pathways to mitigate inequalities. The findings underscore the need for intersectional and gender-sensitive urban planning and transportation policies to enhance accessibility, reduce mobility gaps, and promote equitable participation in public life. By addressing these disparities, this research contributes to the broader discourse on gender equity and sustainable urban mobility.