Rendez-vous du réseau : gender and public space
On 10 March, the UFI network met for a discussion focused on a key issue for urban projects: how can gender inclusion be put into practice in public spaces?
The workshop brought together teams and partners from the various Incubators: Antananarivo, Kigali, Nairobi, Monrovia and the entire new Douala UFI – as well as members of the steering group. The aim was to move from theoretical discussion to concrete examples of actions carried out on the ground, in order to identify approaches that could be replicated in other contexts.
Safety and inclusivity: universal concerns
To kick off the discussion, a participatory exercise invited participants to share their views on gender-related issues in urban spaces. Four key themes emerged: inclusivity, safety, inequality and harassment.
These findings reflect a widely shared concern: ensuring equitable access to the city for everyone. They also serve as a reminder that a sense of safety remains a major issue for women and girls in many urban contexts around the world. More broadly, they highlight the need to design public spaces capable of meeting a diverse range of needs, uses and lived experiences.
The example of the Antananarivo UFI : transforming a sports facility
In Antananarivo, the UFI has set out to reimagine a sports ground whose use was largely dominated by men. The aim is to make this space more accessible, welcoming and inclusive for all residents.
The process began with a gender-sensitive assessment to gain a better understanding of the practices, needs and barriers faced by different user groups.
To gather a range of perspectives, several methods were combined: field observations, focus groups for women and children, individual interviews and door-to-door visits. This approach brought to light needs and expectations that are often overlooked in traditional consultation processes.
The lessons learnt from this assessment then guided the improvements made to the site. Shaded rest areas were created, benches were installed and the perimeter of the site was made safer to encourage a better balance between different uses. A clearer layout of the spaces also helped to make the site more welcoming to a diverse range of visitors.
Beyond the physical transformation of the site, the project placed a central focus on bringing the site to life and engaging local residents. Local women’s organisations carried out awareness-raising initiatives and organised activities designed to promote diversity and foster a sense of shared ownership of the space.
Finally, leadership training courses were offered to local women and young leaders to strengthen their ability to participate in management bodies and decision-making processes.