Ladies First

I tend to perceive gender divides as a negative thing, and have seen inclusive design as a tool to lead us in a direction towards closing these gaps. On a recent trip to Mexico, it was clear that gender differences are both more apparent and more acceptable, so I was keen to experience one example of this; a physical Gender Divide on the Mexico City subway system.

During rush hours, the front two train carriages are reserved for ladies and children due to cases of crime and molestation in overcrowded wagons. Train guards erect a physical barrier at this end of the platform to prevent male passengers embarking. Women often wait for the platform to clear to ensure a place on the front of the next train, but those in a hurry have to join the mixed carriages.

Though a talking point in itself, the effect of this system was more interesting. The behaviour of women in female-only carriages differs from those in mixed carriages. Free from the eyes of male colleagues and commuters, front carriages fill with more gossiping and eating – notably, ladies who find a seat promptly pull a host of beautification devices from their handbags to begin readying themselves for the day ahead. Mirrors, mascara and lipsticks wave through the train as they rush beneath the city. Then - a range of ad-hoc tools – toothbrushes adapted for eyebrows and spoons, tweaked for eyelashes. Ladies observed each other’s inventions, commenting and sharing implements.

I come from a more gender-neutral city where I've seen a woman being insulted by the offer of a train seat based on her sex, and where cases of molestation would be tackled in a very different way. Able to notice these activities, and the novel use of products, I wonder if closing all divisions through notions of inclusivity might actually be preventing the development of some interesting innovations in isolation.

Returning to the equal-opportunity train carriages I am used to, I watch as a host of devices - designed to genderless precision - in the hands of both male and female commuters. From cars to clothes, it is increasingly tough to determine the gender of an owner. Trends see us returning to retro times and vintage fashions for inspiration – eras of design in which roles were more defined. Perhaps, in striving for equality above all else, we sometimes put at risk the ability to create something really exclusive.