P4 Fostering women’s leadership in the implementation of sustainable development solutions
ender bias and inequalities are still deeply entrenched in all aspects of our societies. Women disproportionately suffer from violence, human rights infringements, inequalities, poverty, climate change and environmental degradation globally.
To face these challenges, it is crucial that women are empowered to take part in the decision-making and implementing processes in all levels of governance worldwide.
In 2013, fewer than 5% of the world’s mayors and just 20% of local councillors were women (UCLG, 2013). The last five years have witnessed a wave of female mayors taking office, yet despite this, women remain overwhelmingly underrepresented in local governance.
This plenary will explore the potential of gender mainstreaming to help transform the political and urban landscapes of our cities, towns and regions. Power relations need to be reshaped to become more equal. Local governments have a key role to play in mainstreaming women leadership and in building sustainable policies through the gender lens.
Moderator
Dorothy Alexandre
President, Montreal Women’s Council
Panel discussion:
Valérie Plante
Mayor, Ville de Montréal, Canada
Célestine Ketcha épouse Courtès
Mayor, Bangangté Municipal Council, Cameroon
President, Network for Locally Elected Women of Africa (REFELA)
UCLG Champion on Development Cooperation
Nadia Petrolito
Vice-President, Legal affairs, L’Oréal Canada
Judith Portier
Founder and creative director, Design by Judith Portier,Montréal, Canada