|
| 
Published Monday, March 8, 2021
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
The Costa Rica United States Foundation for Cooperation, Crusa, is leading the "Muevete Segura" hackathon where projects to improve the safety of women in the use of public transport will be accepted.
Those interested in participating must register on the Muevete Segura site, which means "Safe Travel" in English.
The open call ends on March 16. Winners with the most innovative idea, win a prize for $3,600, as well as support from specialists for the implementation of the proposal.
The activity is 100% virtual.Teams should aim to offer solutions for the risky situations that women have experienced, especially when they travel alone on public transport.
The hackathon will take place from March 19 to 21. People interested in participating must live in Costa Rica and register a team of 5 people maximum, including at least 3 women. However, people can also register individually and the organization will assign them a team.
The teams must include in their proposals a solution technologically feasible. The proposal must include gender equality and human rights approaches, Crusa said.
According to the German Cooperation Organization, GIZ, the danger in public transport does not respond adequately to the traveler's needs. Research shows that in Costa Rica more women use public transportion, regardless of the reason for their travel, and have less access to a private vehicle.
"In 2018, Plan International published a study on the number one threat to girls and young women in public transport in the world is sexual harassment, so it is key to provide suitable conditions to increase the use of transport public to that all people, especially the users who are most affected, can travel safely and on equal terms, ” Kruse, representative of GIZ said.
The Third National Survey on the Perception of Women's Human Rights carried out by the National Institute for Women in 2017 exposed that 63% of the women interviewed recognized that the street is one of the spaces where women are most attacked. Around 97% of the people interviewed said they agreed with punishing the sexual harassment of women in public transport and public areas.
The hackathon is organized by Crusa, GIZ, the Women's Institute, among other organizations.
-------------------
What have you heard from expats who have been in risky situations when using public transportation in Costa Rica? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com
 |
