Can Cities be Feminist?

10 March 2020 

Women are under-represented at every level of public life. In OECD countries, women hold fewer than 1/3 of lower house seats in national legislatures. At the local level, estimates show only 5% of the world’s mayors are women.

There can be no robust growth without gender equality. Excluding women is estimated to cost the global economy USD $6 Trillion, 7.5% of global GDP. However, the effect is not limited to GDP, but also affects the aspirations, opportunities and outcomes for society as a whole.

Speakers discussed the use of legislation and administration procedures to ensure gender equality (such as budgeting and equality clauses in tendering), the role of a commission on gender equality, alignment with SDG 5 – Gender Equality, and how the provision of affordable childcare, training and networking opportunities can assist woman with children.

Download the flyer for more information or view the presentations.

Panelists

• Gotzone Sagardui, Vice Mayor of Bilbao (Spain), 
• Councillor Helen Godwin, Cabinet Member for Women, Children and Young People for Bristol (UK) and 
• Jacqueline Ebanks, Executive Director of the Commission on Gender Equity, New York City (USA)

Moderated by Aziza Akhmouch, Head of Cities, Urban Policies and Sustainable Development Division, Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities, OECD