FEMINISTS ARGUE OF GENDER

Why Do Feminists Argue That We Should Take Account Of Gender In Analysing Crime And Victimisation?

Why Do Feminists Argue That We Should Take Account Of Gender In Analysing Crime And Victimisation

Introduction

A gender-sensitive approach to urban governance has two principal objectives; firstly, to increase women's participation in human settlements development and, secondly, to foster gender-awareness and competence among both women and men in the political arena and planning practice. A concerted approach to the issue of participation is required, including an improvement in women's representation in political structures and their active involvement in advocacy and lobbying for equitable human settlements development through participation in organizations outside of government.

Main Body

The work of such organisations in holding to account mainstream institutions and structures can be strengthened through international cooperation. New and inclusive urban partnerships are also needed, which recognise the interests, contributions and reciprocal potential of women as well as men. Planners must acknowledge the diversity of women, while recognising that they also generally share specific gender interests arising from a common set of responsibilities and roles. Partnerships between urban dwellers, designers and decision-makers must address both the diversity and commonality of women's experiences and needs.

Given that women experience and use the urban environment in different ways from men, they have different priorities in terms of services and infrastructure, for example with regard to transport, housing and basic urban services. Such priorities rarely feature in urban policy or investments. Policy-makers and planners, whether women or men, need to be gender-aware in order that women's needs and interests are addressed and women themselves are brought in to the planning process. For example, gender-aware urban planning would be sensitive to the increasing phenomenon of women-maintained households. Their particular vulnerability to poverty and their specific economic survival strategies will only be reflected in urban policy-making if categories like the "household" and the "neighbourhood" are disaggregated by gender and family type.

Policy and planning with an understanding of gender does not come naturally to professionals, whether women or men. Changes in organizational culture and operational procedures will be required to foster gender-sensitive analyses and consultative processes. Inclusive partnerships in urban governance need to take account of the obstacles to women's involvement in public life, such as a lack of confidence or skills and the burden of multiple responsibilities. Nor are women the only group to be marginalised from political and planning processes. Diversity is a reality of urban development. A gendered approach to planning offers solutions to many of the challenges presented by social and economic diversity. The challenge will be met when the complexity of women and men's social roles is recognised and their involvement in the control of their everyday lives is welcomed.

Compared to many other fields, political science has been slow to embrace research on gender. While a fair number of attitudinal and behavioral studies have investigated sex differences, and many subfields have established a healthy body of scholarship on women and politics, gender and politics research has received ...