On International Women’s Day 2021, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), in partnership with Global Utmaning, published HER City, a guide to sustainable and inclusive urban planning.
The guide describes how to involve women and girls in city design:
The fight for women enjoying the same basic human rights, opportunities and place in society as men, is simply losing momentum. This is despite the fact that women’s right are human rights…Equality for women in an urban world is progress for all. All must be engaged in promoting every person’s right to the city, irrespective of gender or age.
HER City
Her City’s ambition is to contribute to a range of the 2030 Agenda Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG3 on health and well-being, SDG5 on gender equality, SDG10 on reducing inequality, SDG11 on sustainable cities and communities, SDG16 on peace, justice and strong institutions and SDG17 on partnerships.
HER City
Involving girls in urban development will make the city better for everyone. Girls plan and design with diversity and different needs in mind. Participatory processes are key for planning a city that works for everyone. If we let citizens that are rarely heard be the experts, our cities and communities will become more inclusive, equal and sustainable.
HER City
The guide finishes with an image of what Her City could look like: A place where everyone thrives, that is safe, has good livelihood opportunities and is ecologically sustainable.
Image credits: HER City
Our view
Streets Alive Yarra supports the HER City guide, and believe that it aligns with our existing policies on:
We encourage stakeholders, including the City of Yarra and the State Government, to implement the guide’s recommendations. One option to consider would be to create and support a Women’s Advisory Committee, to complement Yarra’s existing advisory committees.
Published 29th March 2021