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Gender equality trickles down the UCLG Congress in Durban

Gender equality should be the norm, and acting locally is critical to impact all spheres of decision making and society. The World Summit of Local and Regional Leaders is putting special emphasis in making this visible from the policy development to the event organization.

The World Summit of Local and Regional Leaders to be held on 11-15 November in Durban, South Africa, convened by United Cities and Local Governments, is the largest gathering of mayors, presidents of associations, councillors, and local and regional practitioners from around the world. With around 2.900 registrations to date, it also gathers partners, and actors critical to the decision making of city and community life.

In order to make gender equality a reality at the Congress, the World Secretariat of the global organization has been mandated to produce and implement rules and guidelines aiming at mainstreaming gender and enhancing gender equality during the event. This not only address the contents of the Summit, but also its overall organization.

From the organization of sessions to the elaboration of contents, from the management of statutory nominations to political decision-making, this year the whole congress will be developing through a gender perspective, thus guaranteeing that gender mainstreaming is not only a political goal but is made a concrete reality.

We knew all along it would not be easy and we might not get as far as we would like to get but we are doing our best to give special visibility to the state of gender equality.  

For the time being we are happy to announce that over 900 women representatives are expected, with on average above 45% of the speakers being women throughout the Congress.

We can do better! A gender equality monitoring team set up by the Secretariat will be in charge of monitoring, assessing and reporting on gender balance in the different panels.

Click here to see the guidelines and remember! If you are organizing or participating in a session PLEASE HELP US IN OUR STRIVE TOWARDS EQUALITY.

L’égalité des genres irrigue le Congrès de CGLU à Durban
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  • Meet some of the Women Mayors that will be joining us by clicking here!