Introduction
When we think of well-being, we often think of income, jobs, or health. But what if the roads we travel, the buses we catch, the childcare we access, and the hospitals we visit are just as important—especially for women? A new study published in Sexes (2025) by Gloria Alarcón-García, Edgardo A. Ayala Gaytán, and José Manuel Mayor Balsas explores how everyday infrastructure, from public transport to healthcare, impacts men and women differently in Europe. Using a feminist economics lens, the authors argue that public investments must be reimagined to promote true gender equality and well-being.
Why Infrastructure Isn’t Gender-Neutral
For decades, policymakers saw infrastructure—roads, schools, parks, hospitals—as neutral, benefiting everyone equally. But feminist economists and urban planners have shown that’s not the case. Women and men use cities and services differently, shaped by their roles in paid work, caregiving, and household responsibilities. For example, women are more likely to use public transport for complex, multi-stop trips (school, shopping, caring for relatives), while men’s journeys are often more direct.
Ignoring these differences can reinforce inequality. If buses don’t run at the right times, or if there are too few childcare centers, women’s opportunities shrink. The study’s key message: infrastructure must be planned with gender in mind to boost everyone’s well-being.
Beyond GDP: Rethinking Well-Being
Traditional measures like GDP miss much of what matters for daily life—especially unpaid care work, access to public services, and social participation. The authors combine two powerful approaches:
- The Capability Approach (CA): Developed by Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum, this focuses on people’s real freedoms to live the lives they value—like being healthy, educated, and socially connected.
- Subjective Well-Being (SWB): This measures how people feel about their lives—happiness, satisfaction, and emotional balance.
By merging these, the study offers a richer, more inclusive way to measure well-being, sensitive to gender differences.
Introducing WIGI: A New Gender-Sensitive Index
The authors present the Well-being and Infrastructure by Gender Index (WIGI), a new tool that evaluates how public spending on infrastructure affects men and women differently. WIGI ranks public investments based on their impact on well-being, helping policymakers see which services best promote gender equality.
Table 1: Key Capabilities Measured by WIGI
| Capability Area | Example Infrastructure | Why It Matters for Gender Equality |
|---|---|---|
| Education | Schools, libraries | Access boosts women’s and girls’ options |
| Employment | Transport, job centers | Commuting options affect job access |
| Caregiving & Domestic | Childcare, eldercare, parks | Reduces unpaid care burden on women |
| Health | Hospitals, clinics | Women use health services more often |
| Social Relationships | Community centers, public spaces | Supports social support networks |
| Mobility | Public transport, walkways | Women rely more on safe, flexible travel |
| Leisure | Parks, recreation | Enables rest and personal time |
Source: Adapted from Alarcón-García et al., 2025.
What the Data Shows: Gender Gaps in Access and Well-Being
Using the Benefits of Gender Equality through Infrastructure Provision (BGGEIP) survey from 28 EU countries, the study finds:
- Women report lower access to key infrastructure (especially transport and childcare) than men.
- Well-being scores are higher in regions with more gender-sensitive infrastructure investment.
- The gender gap in well-being narrows where public spending is targeted to women’s needs (e.g., more childcare centers, safer public transport).
Table 2: Average Access to Infrastructure and Well-Being by Gender (EU, 2015)
| Infrastructure Type | Women: Access (%) | Men: Access (%) | Women: Well-Being Score | Men: Well-Being Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Transport | 62 | 70 | 6.5 | 7.1 |
| Childcare Facilities | 48 | 55 | 6.2 | 6.6 |
| Healthcare Services | 75 | 80 | 7.0 | 7.3 |
| Public Spaces | 68 | 72 | 6.8 | 7.0 |
Note: Scores are on a 1–10 scale. Data illustrative, based on study findings.
Why Does This Matter?
- Economic Impact: When women can access reliable childcare and transport, they’re more likely to work, boosting family incomes and the economy.
- Health & Safety: Gender-sensitive infrastructure (well-lit streets, accessible clinics) improves physical and mental health, especially for women.
- Social Inclusion: Investing in community spaces and services helps everyone—especially the most vulnerable—feel connected and supported.
Policy Recommendations: Building a Fairer Europe
The authors argue for a feminist economics-informed approach to public investment. This means:
- Integrating gender analysis into all infrastructure planning and budgets.
- Collecting better data on how men and women use public services.
- Prioritizing investments in transport, childcare, and healthcare that close gender gaps.
- Designing cities and services for diverse family structures, not just the “nuclear family.”
- Promoting women’s voices in urban planning and policy decisions.
The Bigger Picture: Lessons for the World
Europe’s experience offers lessons for countries everywhere. As cities grow and societies change, infrastructure must keep up—not just in size, but in fairness. Gender-sensitive planning isn’t just about helping women; it’s about creating communities where everyone can thrive.
Conclusion
Well-being is about more than money. It’s about the freedom to live a healthy, connected, and fulfilling life. This study shows that everyday infrastructure—when designed with gender in mind—can be a powerful tool for equality and happiness. As governments invest billions in recovery and growth, now is the time to build cities and systems that work for everyone.
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