Last year, the COVID-19 pandemic took over the local and international debate, particularly considering the need to take care of people, democracy and the planet for the future we want. In this context, the specific impact on all women, the relevance of gender-sensitive responses, and the role of women and feminist leaders to tackle and recover from this crisis have been important topics across UCLG’s agenda.
Feminist municipalism: Local to Global Women Leadership & Decision-making
At the occasion of the CSW65, UCLG will convene Local and Regional Governments’ Days to enable iscussions and exchanges on the key role of the international municipalist movement to promote and achieve gender equality in all parts of the world. In collaboration with international organizations, civil society representatives, UCLG will organize a series of thematic sessions that illustrate the multi-dimensional impact of local feminist leadership to attain a just, sustainable and resilient world.
23 March, 15.30 – 17.30 CET: Acknowledging Women at the helm: Resilience, Proximity & Communities that Care (Side-event at the NGO CSW Forum)
e Acknowledge: the combination of local and regional governments with feminist and women’s right organizations compose a powerful alliance to secure the access to reproductive rights and to support women-led business and projects, enhancing the autonomy of women in their diversity.
The impacts of the climate crisis and more broadly, of environmental degradation, are also gendered, especially when considered issues of land tenure, informal work, care and domestic services. The climate emergency and the need for preparedness during periods of crisis and distress require mechanisms, including territorial approaches, for gender-based responses and resilience. The path to the ecological transition must ensure climate justice and observe the specific impact of crises on women and girls.
Appropriate urban and territorial planning, and local policy making in general, have a direct impact on women and girls’ lives, as it is determinant of how they interact and experience the city and the public. Different projects and policies should be targeted at enhancing security, safety and social cohesion of cities and territories, contributing to decrease violence and reduce vulnerabilities, by increasing community participation in and ownership of the public life and space.
For more information on this and other events, please find attached the English programme.