Gender equality builds inclusive and safer cities

Source: The post Gender equality builds inclusive and safer cities has been created, based on the article “The need for gender equity in urban bureaucracy” published in “The Hindu” on 25th June 2025

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-Governance-mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.

Context: India’s urban population will exceed 800 million by 2050, making it the world’s largest contributor to urban growth. As cities expand, ensuring gender equity in governance and services is essential for inclusive development and democratic progress.

For detailed information on India’s Progress in Advancing Gender Equality read this article here

Expanding Political Representation of Women

1. Constitutional Mandates for Inclusion: The 73rd and 74th Amendments reserve 33% seats for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Governments. 17 States and one Union Territory have increased this to 50%.
2. Strong Presence in Local Politics: Women now account for over 46% of elected representatives (Ministry of Panchayati Raj, 2024). Their growing role as mayors and councillors marks political progress.
3. Lack of Administrative Representation: Despite this, the urban bureaucracy remains male-dominated, affecting the effective translation of gender-sensitive policies.

Gender Gap in Urban Bureaucracy

1. Low Participation in Administrative Cadres: As of 2022, only 20% of IAS officers were women (IndiaSpend). Their presence is even lower in planning, engineering, and transport.
2. Underrepresentation in Policing: Only 11.7% of police personnel are women (BPR&D, 2023), and many are in desk jobs, limiting their community-level impact.
3. Overlooked Gendered Needs in Planning: Women depend more on public transport and neighbourhood infrastructure. A study found 84% of women in Delhi and Mumbai used shared transport compared to 63% of men. Yet, planning prioritises mega-projects over local safety needs.
4. Proven Impact of Women Officials: Studies by ICRIER and UN Women show that women in governance focus more on health, safety, and water. Their presence improves public trust through empathetic enforcement.

Underutilised Potential of Gender Budgeting

1. Introduction and Efforts in India: India adopted Gender Budgeting in 2005-06. Delhi promoted women-only buses and lighting. Tamil Nadu applied it across 64 departments, while Kerala integrated it into the People’s Plan Campaign.
2. Challenges in Implementation: Reports by UN Women and NIPFP highlight weak monitoring and limited capacity, especially in smaller cities. GRB often ignores basics like childcare and pedestrian safety.
3. International Best Practices: Philippines mandates 5% local budget for gender programmes, Rwanda ties GRB to national planning ,Uganda requires gender equity certificates, Mexico links GRB to outcomes ,South Africa pilots participatory planning.

Moving Beyond Quotas to Structural Reform

1. Need for Institutional Changes: Inclusive cities need reforms in recruitment, retention, and promotion. Quotas and scholarships in planning and engineering are necessary to break structural barriers.
2. Global Lessons on Inclusive Governance:

Rwanda raised maternal health spending, Brazil prioritised sanitation,South Korea used gender audits for transit,Tunisia implemented parity laws,Philippines funded shelters through gender budgeting.

3. Why It Matters: Gender-balanced bureaucracies are essential for creating safe, responsive, and equitable cities.

A Vision for Equitable Cities

1. Cities Beyond Growth: As India eyes a $5 trillion economy, its cities must also become spaces of inclusion and equity.
2. Institutionalising Inclusive Governance: Mandatory audits, participatory budgeting, and linked evaluations should guide urban planning. GRB must be mainstreamed in all Urban Local Governments.
3. Empowering Women as Decision-Makers: Representation must lead to agency. Models like Kudumbashree provide effective templates. Cities must be designed with women, not just for them.

Question for practice:

Discuss how gender imbalance in urban bureaucracy affects inclusive city planning in India.