UCLG’s CSW65: Women in public life: Fostering Inclusive Cities & Territories

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.

19 March, 16.00 – 18.00 CET: Women in public life: Fostering Incluisve Cities & Territories
We Participate: Beyond the promotion of gender-sensitive policies, women in public life, when provided safe spaces for participation in equitable opportunities, can become the motors of a fairer and more democratic system.

The participation of women and feminist leaders in politics and decision-making is not only core to  democracy, it is a key factor to enable governing with empathy, to prioritizing the public in direct response to the needs and aspirations of the people and communities. Although the presence of women in public life is challenged everyday through social norms, stereotypes, discrimination, disinformation or violence, women and feminist mayors continue to lead on the path to inclusive cities and territories. The rise of authoritarian and populist movements, exacerbated by new priorities in the context of crisis threatens, decades of progress on gender equality and women’s empowerment. The role of women in public life is often overlooked and underestimated on their potential to give voice to the diversity of our neighborhoods and cities. The active participation of women must be celebrated,  encouraged and supported, in particular at local and subnational levels.

For more information on this and other events, please find attached the English programme.