Former Mauritian president: Inclusion essential to advance gender equality

Gender equality in urban development plays a key role in creating inclusive urban spaces and prosperous societies, former President of the Republic of Mauritius and biodiversity scientist Ameenah Gurib-Fakim ​​said at the Women's Assembly at the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, Report informs.

According to her, advancing gender equality requires rethinking the development of urban infrastructure and environments, making them more inclusive.

"The fact is that environmental degradation, climate change, natural disasters, and armed conflict threaten the viability of cities and communities," she emphasized.

Gurib-Fakim ​​noted that since 1975, the number of recorded natural disasters, including tsunamis, tropical cyclones, earthquakes, and floods, has quadrupled.

"Seven out of ten natural disasters are climate-related. Yet, cities remain centers of human progress, serving as dynamic hubs of economic, social, and cultural activity," she stated.

She emphasized that it's important to recognize that cities are not neutral spaces: "They can both perpetuate existing inequalities and challenge them."

She also emphasized that viewing families, communities, cities, and regions through a gender lens requires radical shifts in both thinking and action.

"Women tend to have lower levels of participation in decision-making, such as disaster management. Yet, women often suffer the most after disasters, when violence and attacks increase," Gurib-Fakim ​​noted.

She noted that cities have historically been planned primarily from a male perspective, which has often led to the neglect of women's needs.

"These experiences, shaped by patriarchal social norms, limit women's mobility, safety, and access to resources in the urban environment," she added.