Despite making up half of the population, women and girls still get a rough deal when it comes to city design: in surveys, around 97% of women in the UK aged 18-24 have complain of sexual harassment in public spaces, while in Ireland more than half of the women surveyed said they felt unsafe on public transport after dark.
Other problems include a lack of suitable public transportation. For example, one-third of women globally say they do not have adequate toilet access.
The publication, “Designing Cities that Work for Women,” focuses on four themes: safety and security, justice and equality, health and happiness, and enrichment and fulfillment.
Lack of representation
A variety of city design aspects are covered, from street lighting to statues. Only about three percent of monuments commemorating past and present heroes depict women.
Women’s needs and aspirations are considered, from safety, to discrimination on the basis of gender, and the lack of access to quality education and employment opportunities.
Research shows that women are not well represented in key decisions affecting the future environment for all: they run only one of seven environmental ministries and face barriers in important areas such as city planning, construction and leadership positions.
“Achieving gender equality is an integral part of each of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals,” the statement said. UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner. “When cities are largely designed without considering the diverse needs and understandings of women of all ages and identities, this can have a negative impact not only on their lives but as for their families.”
Women-friendly solutions
The report was developed by global engineering and design firm Arup, the University of Liverpool and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), drawing on the voices and experiences of women around the world, as well as assessing Thoroughly evaluate data and research. .
Strong focus on solutions for decision makers and find ways
Actively involve women in every stage of city design and planning, to ensure that cities work better for them, while being more flexible and inclusive.
Specific recommendations include the formation of city-wide gender equality task forces, education and development programs, and design action plans.
Cooperation between city governments and other stakeholders, such as businesses and civil society groups, is also seen as an important factor in creating safe, equal spaces for women. women and girls.
