At the same time, cities are the places that feel the effects of heat waves, floods, drought, water scarcity and extreme weather events most intensely. In other words, cities stand at both the source and the center of the impact of the climate crisis. Türkiye carries this agenda to COP31. The title of "Resilient Cities and Buildings" is among the priorities of the conference to be held in Antalya on 9-20 November. Under this heading, it is aimed to reduce energy intensity in the building sector by at least 25 percent by 2035. It will be decisive for women and girls that the action plans prepared to achieve this goal are sensitive to gender equality.
No equal access
Women cannot benefit equally from the opportunities offered by cities. According to UN Women data, more than half of urban women and girls in developing countries do not have access to at least one of the following: clean water, improved sanitation, durable housing and adequate living space. These inequalities deepen when climate shocks increase pressure on infrastructure, services and livelihoods. The care responsibilities of women and girls are becoming heavier, their security risks are increasing, and their representation in decision-making processes does not change. When the knowledge, experience and contribution of the segment most affected by the crisis are excluded, the city's adaptation capacity is weakened.
Transport policy issue
One of the least talked about dimensions of urban resilience is security. When people do not feel safe, they do not prefer public transportation, cycling or even walking. This prevents the spread of low-carbon transportation and undermines sustainable urban mobility goals. Findings from many cities around the world show that women are exposed to sexual harassment and violence in public spaces and public transport at a much higher rate than men. UN Women's Safe Cities and Safe Public Spaces initiative reveals that women and girls can give up using public space altogether when they do not feel safe. The cost of this is giving up education, work, income and the ability to move independently.
Commitment is not new
In the outcome document adopted at the 63rd session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women in 2019, states committed to supporting safe public spaces and strengthening the safety of women and girls. Article 47 (iii), under the heading “Making infrastructure work for women and girls”, requires member states to: ensure gender-sensitive rural and urban planning; sustainable, safe, accessible and affordable public transport; end violence and harassment against women on their way to and from work; and protect against the risk of attack when carrying water or fuel for the home and when using sanitation facilities outside the home. Therefore, a resilient city is not only built with climate-resistant infrastructure. Lighted streets, safe stops, accessible sidewalks, reliable public transportation and gender-responsive public space design simultaneously strengthen safety, inclusion and climate goals. Even if a city resists climate shocks, it is not possible to talk about real resilience unless its residents are safe, cannot participate in public life and have a say in the future of the city. The knowledge and experience that will make the city resilient is in the hands of the women who pass through those streets every day.
safe cities initiative
UN Women's Safe Cities and Safe Public Spaces Initiative has been running for over a decade to prevent women and girls from being subjected to sexual harassment and violence in public spaces. The program started in five cities, Quito, Cairo, New Delhi, Port Moresby and Kigali, and has reached 50 cities today. The initiative works with local governments, women's organizations and city residents and offers solutions in a wide range of areas, from street lighting to public transport design and local legislation.
Milliyet-UN Women cooperation
Milliyet continues its series of articles addressing the multidimensional effects of the climate crisis with the United Nations Women (UN Women), of which it is a member of the global media association Media Compact. The series will continue until the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) to be held in Antalya, hosted by Turkey, between 9-20 November.
