Mauritius ex-president urges gender-sensitive urban design

Gender equality in urban development is impossible without purposeful design and planning of cities that take into account the needs of all groups of the population, stated the first female president of Mauritius, biodiversity scientist Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, during her speech at the Women's Assembly within the framework of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, Report informs.

"It is about recognizing that women's experiences and perspectives hold great value in shaping the urban environment," she emphasized.

According to the former president of Mauritius, safe and accessible public spaces are one of the key elements of inclusive urban development: "Imagine a city with well-lit public areas, accessible infrastructure, and an inclusive public transportation system. All these elements enable all people to move around the city safely and with confidence."

She emphasized that modern cities must take into account the diverse needs of residents and foster a sense of belonging in every person.

Gurib-Fakim also drew attention to the importance of affordable housing for promoting gender equality: "Housing affordability is the most important part of promoting gender equality in cities. Such measures can reduce the disproportionate burden placed on women, enabling them to fully thrive in their environments."