Sri Lanka Gender in Transport Profile 2026
SRI LANKA
GENDER IN TRANSPORT PROFILE
Supported by:
Background
This 2026 edition of the Gender in Transport Profiles revisits and updates the initial release, transforming it into a more interactive and data-rich resource. Developed in partnership with the Asia Pacific Road Safety Observatory, this edition offers a deeper perspective on how gender shapes transport systems across Asia-Pacific economies.
The profiles examine women's participation in the transport workforce, comparing representation across countries and relative to other economic sectors, while also assessing gender wage disparities and how these relate to national income levels. They further explore how road injuries and fatalities affect vulnerable groups differently, as well as how access to transport, mobility opportunities, and leadership roles in the sector vary by gender. Together, these dimensions provide a more comprehensive picture of structural gaps, safety risks, and areas of progress.
Released during Women's Month in March 2026, the profiles are designed for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers. By consolidating official and vetted data into an accessible interactive format, they support evidence-based dialogue and the development of more inclusive, gender-responsive transport policies across Asia.
To complement the country profiles, ATO also presents three regional gender snapshots highlighting employment, wage patterns, and road safety trends across Asia-Pacific:
- Employment in Transport
- Gender Wage Patterns
- Road Safety and Vulnerability
Employment in the transport sector
Access to internet
Road safety
Global Gender Gap
Other indicators
Policy Landscape
Female economic empowerment and workforce participation
| electric mobility systems are designed to ensure mobility is more responsive to GESI aspects, by incorporating the specific needs of children, older persons, PWDs, and women in all these groups while promoting their active participation and engagement in planning and implementation | Sri Lanka NDC 3.0 | 2025 |
| design and operation of public transport systems are to be implemented with the consideration of the specific needs and safety of women and PWDs. | Sri Lanka NDC 3.0 | 2025 |
| Female participation in transport/shipping: 3.4% (2019) - Increase to 5% through targeted recruitment, training, and inclusive policies | PUBLIC INVESTEMENT PROGRAMME | 2026 - 2030 | 2025 |
| (a) improving access for children, women, the senior citizens and those with disabilities; (b) remote communities and (c) the poor | Sustainable Sri Lanka 2030 Vision and Strategic Path | 2019 |
| (a) improving access for children, women, the senior citizens and those with disabilities; (b) remote communities and (c) the poor | Sustainable Sri Lanka 2030 Vision and Strategic Path | 2019 |
| Ensure the transport needs of all, including children, women, sick, differently able and elderly are adequately addressed. | National transport Policy of Sri Lanka | 2017 |
| Vehicles should be easily accessible to all users irrespective of age, gender or ability. Ensure the transport needs of all, including children, women, sick, differently able and elderly are adequately addressed. | National transport Policy of Sri Lanka | 2017 |
Gender consideration for transport development - General
| electric mobility systems are designed to ensure mobility is more responsive to GESI aspects, by incorporating the specific needs of children, older persons, PWDs, and women in all these groups while promoting their active participation and engagement in planning and implementation | Sri Lanka NDC 3.0 | 2025 |
| design and operation of public transport systems are to be implemented with the consideration of the specific needs and safety of women and PWDs. | Sri Lanka NDC 3.0 | 2025 |
| Female participation in transport/shipping: 3.4% (2019) - Increase to 5% through targeted recruitment, training, and inclusive policies | PUBLIC INVESTEMENT PROGRAMME | 2026 - 2030 | 2025 |
| (a) improving access for children, women, the senior citizens and those with disabilities; (b) remote communities and (c) the poor | Sustainable Sri Lanka 2030 Vision and Strategic Path | 2019 |
| (a) improving access for children, women, the senior citizens and those with disabilities; (b) remote communities and (c) the poor | Sustainable Sri Lanka 2030 Vision and Strategic Path | 2019 |
| Ensure the transport needs of all, including children, women, sick, differently able and elderly are adequately addressed. | National transport Policy of Sri Lanka | 2017 |
| Vehicles should be easily accessible to all users irrespective of age, gender or ability. Ensure the transport needs of all, including children, women, sick, differently able and elderly are adequately addressed. | National transport Policy of Sri Lanka | 2017 |
Gender inclusive infrastructure and service design
| electric mobility systems are designed to ensure mobility is more responsive to GESI aspects, by incorporating the specific needs of children, older persons, PWDs, and women in all these groups while promoting their active participation and engagement in planning and implementation | Sri Lanka NDC 3.0 | 2025 |
| design and operation of public transport systems are to be implemented with the consideration of the specific needs and safety of women and PWDs. | Sri Lanka NDC 3.0 | 2025 |
| Female participation in transport/shipping: 3.4% (2019) - Increase to 5% through targeted recruitment, training, and inclusive policies | PUBLIC INVESTEMENT PROGRAMME | 2026 - 2030 | 2025 |
| (a) improving access for children, women, the senior citizens and those with disabilities; (b) remote communities and (c) the poor | Sustainable Sri Lanka 2030 Vision and Strategic Path | 2019 |
| (a) improving access for children, women, the senior citizens and those with disabilities; (b) remote communities and (c) the poor | Sustainable Sri Lanka 2030 Vision and Strategic Path | 2019 |
| Ensure the transport needs of all, including children, women, sick, differently able and elderly are adequately addressed. | National transport Policy of Sri Lanka | 2017 |
| Vehicles should be easily accessible to all users irrespective of age, gender or ability. Ensure the transport needs of all, including children, women, sick, differently able and elderly are adequately addressed. | National transport Policy of Sri Lanka | 2017 |
General transport improvement for elderly, children, or persons with disabilities
| electric mobility systems are designed to ensure mobility is more responsive to GESI aspects, by incorporating the specific needs of children, older persons, PWDs, and women in all these groups while promoting their active participation and engagement in planning and implementation | Sri Lanka NDC 3.0 | 2025 |
| design and operation of public transport systems are to be implemented with the consideration of the specific needs and safety of women and PWDs. | Sri Lanka NDC 3.0 | 2025 |
| Female participation in transport/shipping: 3.4% (2019) - Increase to 5% through targeted recruitment, training, and inclusive policies | PUBLIC INVESTEMENT PROGRAMME | 2026 - 2030 | 2025 |
| (a) improving access for children, women, the senior citizens and those with disabilities; (b) remote communities and (c) the poor | Sustainable Sri Lanka 2030 Vision and Strategic Path | 2019 |
| (a) improving access for children, women, the senior citizens and those with disabilities; (b) remote communities and (c) the poor | Sustainable Sri Lanka 2030 Vision and Strategic Path | 2019 |
| Ensure the transport needs of all, including children, women, sick, differently able and elderly are adequately addressed. | National transport Policy of Sri Lanka | 2017 |
| Vehicles should be easily accessible to all users irrespective of age, gender or ability. Ensure the transport needs of all, including children, women, sick, differently able and elderly are adequately addressed. | National transport Policy of Sri Lanka | 2017 |
References
ESMAP. (2024). Gender and Energy Indicators. https://energydata.info/dataset/esmap-gender-and-energy-indicators
IHME. (2026). GBD Compare. https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-compare/
ILO. (2026). Data tools to find and download labour statistics. ILOSTAT. https://ilostat.ilo.org/data/
ITU. (2025). Individuals using the Internet [Dataset]. https://www.itu.int:443/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Pages/stat/default.aspx
World Bank. (2025). GDP per capita, PPP (current international $) [Dataset]. https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.PP.CD
World Economic Forum. (2025). Gender Gap Report 2025. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/publications/global-gender-gap-report-2025/digest/