Urbact - Gender Equal Cities

Parity in formal representative structures is one of the most important things a city can do to create gender equality. But local democracy is also guaranteed through informal representation, participatory processes and public consultation, structures which must equally include a gendered approach. A gender equal city is one that constantly asks itself questions about who is empowered to contribute to decision-making. Who has a seat at the table and is that enough? Which voices are not being heard? How can representation and knowledge gaps be filled?

2A. LOCAL GOVERNMENT

5 European Commission; NÓRLEN, H.; PAPADIMITRIOU, E.; DOMINICIS, L.; DIJKSTRA, L. (2021), idem, page 29. 6 European Commission; NÓRLEN, H.; PAPADIMITRIOU, E.; DOMINICIS, L.; DIJKSTRA, L. (2021), ibid, page 30. 7 Élues Locales (2021), 3 femmes élues sur 4 ont un jour été confrontées à des remarques ou comportaments

sexistes , published on 3 December 2021 and available at: https://www.elueslocales.fr/enquete-violences- sexistes-en-politique

In the last ten years, the proportion of female mayors has increased modestly, from 11% to just 15%, however with stark regional differences. While countries such as Georgia and Romania have as little as 2-4%, others such as Iceland and Sweden boast up to 36%5. Women currently make up 29% of elected representatives at the local level overall6, here with little improvement in the last decade. Even when equal representation of women and men is reached, there is a tendency for women to carry portfolios for socio-cultural policy, while men continue to be overrepresented in high profile policy areas like economy and finance. This has implications for their respective budgets and responsibilities and replicates gendered divisions of labour. In addition, women elected representatives face challenges even after they have won

office. A recent study by Élues Locales in France demonstrated that local elected women are at significantly higher risk of violence and harassment than their male colleagues. In their survey of 960 elected women, 74% reported having been harassed, threatened, undermined or been the recipient of inappropriate or sexualised remarks7. So what is being done to change the way local government looks and acts in Europe? A growing number of initiatives are tackling barriers to entry and encouraging women and girls to run for office at all levels, as well as to sustain them once elected. Programmes such as the EAF Berlin Mayoress Programme or the Fórum 50%, which is described below, are working to combat discrimination and support women representatives through their campaigns and their political careers.