TalentNomics India, in partnership with KAS-Japan, is proud to announce the successful organization of its inaugural roundtable discussion focused on “Building Inclusive Urban Spaces for Women in South Asia.” Held at India International Centre, New Delhi, on Wednesday, the day-long event brought together a diverse array of stakeholders to zero in on crucial issues and formulate actionable solutions aimed at creating cities where every woman can flourish.

The event, held under the theme of pursuing an Equiverse—a universe where gender equity is the norm—saw esteemed speakers and participants engaging in insightful discussions to identify key obstacles and chart a path forward towards gender-inclusive urban planning.

The tone for the event was set by inspiring remarks from Ipsita Kathuria, Founder & CEO of TalentNomics India, and Christian Echle, Head-Asia/Pacific of KAS, whose visionary leadership paved the way for a productive and enriching dialogue.

Speaking on the occasion, Gita Mittal, a retired Judge and former Chief Justice of J&K High Court, shared her insightful perspectives on gender equality, emphasizing the pervasive nature of discrimination starting from within families. Highlighting the plight of women, she said: “Women face domestic violence but often lack the resources or knowledge to fight their cases,” and added that she stressed the need to go beyond discussing gender equality in urban spaces, and instead focus on creating spaces without violence and with women-centric facilities in public areas. Mittal also drew attention to the challenges faced by women prisoners, who experience various difficulties, including the poor conditions of police lock-ups and inadequate toilet facilities. Similarly, she highlighted the lack of public toilets for municipal workers, gardeners, and women employees, who face difficulties while carrying out their jobs. Mittal further emphasized the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities, who also face sexual harassment while using public transportation. She advocated for the inclusion of low-floor buses and other facilities for disabled individuals to promote a more inclusive infrastructural development in urban areas.

Dr. Meeran Chadha Borwankar, a retired Director General of Police, expressed her stance on gender discrimination. She highlighted the challenges faced by female police officers, such as a lack of support from their male counterparts and the absence of a women-friendly environment. She further pointed out the prevalent issue of sexual harassment within police stations. Dr. Borwankar said: “Gender discrimination is not only confined to the police department but is also observed when interacting with citizens outside of it. Conferences focused on promoting gender equality can play a significant role in creating awareness and addressing these issues. We should advocate for a society that treats women equally and provides them with a safe and supportive environment in all aspects of life, including within the police force and during public interactions.”

Emphasizing the importance of Gender Inclusive Mobility, Laghu Parashar, a Senior Transport Specialist at the World Bank, proposed a forward-thinking approach. He said, “We should not simply provide transport services exclusively for women but go beyond that. By creating transportation facilities for women and other marginalized groups, we can also create new job opportunities.” Parashar also stressed the need for urban planning to be more inclusive, particularly in the context of gender equality. “Safety and care for women should be a priority in public transportation. By making the city safer for women, we ultimately make it safer for everyone,” he stated.

Pointing out the lack of female leadership in urban planning, Parashar said, “Having more women in leadership positions would greatly benefit the promotion of gender equality and inclusive transport facilities. Women leaders can bring an empathetic perspective and actively contribute to creating a more egalitarian society.”

Highlighting the multifaceted challenges encountered in urban areas across South Asia, particularly concerning gender equality, Farah Kabir, the Country Director of ActionAid Bangladesh, underscored the complex experiences women face within both public and private spheres due to their diverse roles and responsibilities. She said: “The rapid and haphazard urbanization coupled with population pressures presents significant hurdles in realizing gender equality. Furthermore, the absence of inclusive planning and design, along with inadequate funding, exacerbates these obstacles. Existing infrastructure often lacks features essential for the convenience and safety of women, girls, and individuals with disabilities.”

Kabir also noted a disparity between global discourse on gender equality and its actual implementation, attributing this to societal mindsets. She emphasized the critical need for concerted efforts in both policy formulation and societal mindset shifts to address these challenges effectively.

Ipsita Kathuria emphasized the need to make cities more inclusive. She said: “TalentNomics, an initiative launched eight years ago, advocated for gender equality in leadership roles and prioritized women's education. Highlighting the significant challenges women encounter in urban environments, Kathuriasaid: We are committed to ignite passion for inclusive development, envisioning an “Equiverse” where gender equity is standard. Collaborating with KAS-Japan, TalentNomics has reached out to numerous individuals to raise awareness about gender equality. Our efforts aim to create a societal shift towards gender equity, emphasizing the importance of inclusive urban spaces where all individuals can thrive.”

Christian Echle stressed the relevance of gender equality, noting its significance in contemporary discourse. He highlighted the importance of conferences like these in gaining momentum for the cause. Echle emphasized the necessity of framing policies to promote gender equality and urged for its inclusion in political agendas. “With India approaching parliamentary elections, we need to make gender discrimination and equality integral to the electoral narrative,” he added. Echle's remarks underscored the importance of addressing gender issues not only within policy frameworks but also in the broader political arena, reflecting a commitment to advancing equality and combating discrimination.

The conference featured engaging roundtable sessions focused on critical areas impacting women in South Asian cities:

Inclusive Urban Transportation and Mobility: Participants explored strategies to ensure equal access to education, employment, and well-being for women of all backgrounds. Discussions centered on tailoring solutions to cater to the needs of both economically sound and underprivileged women.

Safe Spaces for Recreation/Exercise: The safety of public spaces such as streets, shopping centers, parks, and gyms for women was thoroughly examined. Participants discussed measures to enhance safety and create welcoming environments conducive to women's physical activity and leisure.

High-Quality Facilities: The importance of essential amenities such as public bathrooms, creche/elder care facilities, safe shelters, proper lighting, and access to emergency services was emphasized. Participants deliberated on ways to address these needs to ensure women's comfort, safety, and well-being in urban settings.

The discussions also underscored the collaborative efforts required from government agencies, the private sector, and civil society to effect meaningful change. Emphasizing the importance of partnership and cooperation, the roundtable aimed to chart a course forward for urban planners, policymakers, enlightened private sector leaders, and citizens to pilot gender-inclusive cities in South Asia.

This initiative by TalentNomics India and KAS-Japan serves as a springboard for continued dialogue and action towards creating safe, accessible, and empowering urban environments for women in South Asia. By working collectively, the stakeholders involved can pave the way for a future where all women feel secure, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential.