A City Safe for Women Is Safe for All: Women’s Voices Lead at World Urban Forum in Cairo
Cairo, Egypt, November 6, 2024 – Women’s voices took center stage at the World Urban Forum (WUF) in Cairo, Egypt, as they shared their experiences and advocated for a more inclusive and equitable urban environment.
WUF is the world’s premier global conference on sustainable urbanization, bringing together stakeholders from governments, civil society, academia, and the private sector to discuss and shape the future of cities. This year’s edition, held from November 6-10, focused on the theme “Transforming Our Cities for a Better Urban Future.”
One of the key discussions at WUF was on the importance of making cities safe for women. A panel of experts, including women’s rights activists, urban planners, and policymakers, shared their perspectives on the challenges and opportunities in creating a safer urban environment for women.
Panelist Amina Hassan, a women’s rights activist from Egypt, highlighted the alarming statistics of violence against women in urban areas. “One in three women worldwide experiences physical or sexual violence, with the majority of these cases occurring in cities,” she said. “We need to address this issue head-on if we want to create cities that are truly inclusive and sustainable.”
The panelists agreed that a comprehensive approach is needed to make cities safe for women. This includes addressing both physical safety, such as improving lighting and increasing police presence, and social safety, such as challenging gender norms and stereotypes that perpetuate violence against women.
“We need to create a culture of respect and tolerance in our cities,” said panelist Fatima al-Zahraa, an urban planner from Morocco. “This means educating boys and men about gender equality, and involving women in urban planning and decision-making processes.”
The panelists also emphasized the importance of involving women in the design and implementation of urban safety measures. “Women are the best experts on their own experiences of safety in cities,” said panelist Lina Aburafeh, a policymaker from Jordan. “We need to listen to their voices and make sure that their needs are taken into account when developing safety plans.”
The session on women’s safety was just one of many at WUF that focused on gender equality and inclusion. Other sessions addressed issues such as women’s access to housing, transportation, and employment, as well as the role of women in urban governance.
The WUF in Cairo was a powerful platform for women to share their voices and advocate for change. The conference provided a space for women’s voices to be heard and for their experiences and perspectives to be taken into account in shaping the future of cities.
As the world urban population continues to grow, it is essential that we create cities that are safe, inclusive, and equitable for all. By addressing the needs of women, we can create cities that are not only safer for women, but for everyone.
A city safe for women is safe for all: Women’s voices lead at World Urban Forum in Cairo
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