Participating cities commit to:
1. Identify gender-responsive locally relevant and owned interventions.
Conducting a scoping study is essential as it provides specific data to ensure a deep understanding of lo- cal forms of SVAWG in public spaces. Key stakeholders reflect on the findings to develop programmes with a specific set of results based on the local context and joint accountability.
2. Develop and effectively implement comprehensive laws and policies to prevent and respond to sexual violence in public spaces.
Through capacity building, awareness raising, community mobilization and other strategies, au- thorities, women’s grassroots and community partners are equipped to advocate, develop, and monitor the effective implementation of law and policies, and to make sure that accompanying resources are in place to support this action.
3. Investments in the safety and economic viability of public spaces.
A gender approach to urban planning ensures that the needs of women and men are taken into account across all municipal departments’ planning. This includes public infrastructure (investments in safe potable water, improved sanitation, lighting, creation of market stalls, provision of training on financial literacy) and economic development, focusing on opportunities for women’s empowerment.
4. Change attitudes and behaviors to promote women’s and girls’ rights to enjoy public spaces free from violence.
Girls, boys and other influential champions are engaged in transformative activities in schools and other settings to promote respectful gender relationships, gender equality, and safety in public spaces.
UN Women is a strong technical partner in city-led programmes. At global level, a package of guidance notes and other tools are available which can be adapted to country context. In collaboration with partners across cities, UN Women facilitates an online Knowledge and Exchange Platform, and convenes a Global Leaders’ Meeting to promote exchange and advance knowledge on trends, practices and lessons learned in safe cities and safe public spaces initiatives.