As the users and designers of the city, we always find inadequacy in the provision, access, and usage of common urban spaces, such as public toilets, public open spaces for women and gender minorities. This may reflect the deep-rooted gender inequalities between men and women, cis-gender and transgender people. Here comes our story of #gender matters, discovering how the city can improve the well-being of girls, women and gender minorities, who are often marginalised users of urban spaces.
Gender equality in public spaces recognizes that individuals, regardless of their gender, may experience public spaces differently due to various factors such as societal norms, cultural expectations, personal safety concerns, and access to amenities. It acknowledges that individuals’ experiences within public spaces are shaped by their gender identity, and that these experiences can vary widely.
- Can urban spaces possess inherent gendered characteristics?
- Can urban spaces have the potential to advance gender equality?
- Can gendered urban spaces cater to the needs of all individuals in the city?
We hope to explore more.
Government departments such as the Census and Statistics Department, the Equal Opportunities Commission, and the Women’s Commission are primary sources of official data on gender-related indicators. Although the gender mainstreaming process has been brought to light since 2002, not all public datasets in Hong Kong are sex-disaggregated. For geospatial datasets, the consideration of different genders is barely included.
We hope the initiative can move the discussion forward.
#genderneutral #safespace #adequateamenity