Women Participation in Urban Sustainable Development: Emerging Issues and Challenges

Abstract

Women's meaningful involvement in urban development is gaining momentum as a key pillar of inclusive, equitable and sustainable urban development. Women are key contributors to community development, environmental management, local governance, social welfare and the development of resilient communities in cities; but they face pervasive social, institutional, economic and cultural barriers to engagement in formal urban planning and decision-making. This research paper explores some of the new challenges and issues arising from women's role in urban sustainable development, specifically on gender responsive urban planning, access to public services, mobility, safety, employment, environmental aspects, digital inclusion and participation in urban governance. The study touches on the gender gaps that affect women's access to and control over urban resources, infrastructure, opportunities and decision-making processes. It also takes into account intersectional issues of socio-economic status, caste, age, disability, migration, and place which can engender different urban experiences for women. The paper proposes that infrastructure, technology and innovation are not enough to make cities sustainable: meaningful representation of women and engagement of their experiences in urban policies and planning processes are also fundamental. Increasing women's leadership, increasing gender responsive budgeting, ensuring safe and accessible transportation and open spaces, increasing the opportunities for women in the digital and economic sector, and institutionalizing participatory planning, can improve women's contribution to sustainable urban change. The study stresses on the importance of transcending symbolic participation to substantive and sustained involvement of women in urban governance. Such a practice can reinforce social inclusion, spatial justice, community resilience and the access of urban development services, thus contributing to the Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality and Sustainable Development Goal 11 on sustainable cities and communities.