A sustainable urban future through inclusive and effective multilateralism: achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in times of global crises – this was the overarching objective heading into the second session of the UN Habitat Assembly, convening earlier this month in Nairobi.

The assembly, held every four years, is the leading global discussion on sustainable urbanization and human settlements. Delegates and stakeholders from around the world gathered in the Kenyan capital for five days to propose international guidelines for the responsible development of cities going into the future, as well as hold events to exchange and promote the latest trends and innovations within the field.

UN Capital Development Fund, UN Habitat, and Ellaimpacta – a network of female CEOs based out of Brazil – used the occasion to announce the next phase of their ‘Women Led Cities’ initiative at a side event on June 5th, 2023. The side event featured diverse insights from business owners, development experts, city officials, and grassroots leaders, and was hosted with support from the Huairou Commission, a movement of local women-led groups from poor urban, rural, and indigenous communities in over 45 countries.

Officially launched on International Women’s Day in New York on March 8, 2023, momentum has continued to grow for Women Led Cities, and this event in Nairobi marks the beginning of the implementation stage. The initiative prioritizes intersectoral cooperation between leaders from varying levels of business and politics, to catalyze systemic change for women in cities. It was conceived when UN Capital Development Fund’s IncluCity program and UN Habitat’s SDG Cities program partnered with Ellaimpacta, to work towards a shared motivation to eliminate pervasive gender inequalities and empower women and girls, using cities as an entry point.
Maimunah Mohd Sharif, Executive Director of UN Habitat

"A city planned for women is a city planned for all," Ms. Maimunah Mohd Sharif, Executive Director of UN Habitat and former mayor of her hometown in Malaysia, opened the panel. “Women in leadership is key to making cities more equal, more inclusive, just, safe and green. All SDGs, particularly Goal 11, requires urgent action to empower women to rise to decision-making positions.”

Ms. Luiza Trajano, philanthropist and CEO of Magazine Luiza

Ms. Luiza Trajano, philanthropist and CEO of Magazine Luiza and companies, said of the initiative, “We have to make (Women Led Cities) happen. That is why we have already outlined two proposed changes: one is to eradicate violence against women, and the other is to “jump to 50” – or fill 50% of public and private administrative positions with women at the top. We are hands on, so that we can understand how the movement can be scaled up as quickly as possible, so that we really change the world.”

Hon. Rohey Malick Lowe, mayor of Banjul, The Gambia

Hon. Rohey Malick Lowe, mayor of Banjul, The Gambia, spoke of the regional challenges, “In the perspective of Africa… Politicians’ hands are tied due to social, political, and cultural norms.”

Women Led Cities adheres to a participatory approach, by providing women and girls with the tools, knowledge, and support needed to become active changemakers in their cities. The pilot year will unlock investments in blended finance allocated to select cities and regions in Africa, Asia, and Latin America with strong female leadership and inclusive plans and policies. The goal for the rollout is to reach at least 200 cities in 20 different countries, 5000 women-owned businesses, and 50 gender responsive infrastructure projects.
“The Women Led Cities initiative has the potential to enhance the lives of all women- from global business leaders to grassroots women all over the world,” moderator and UN Habitat partner Angela Mwai said.

Silvio José Albuquerque e Silva, Brazilian Ambassador to Kenya made the argument, “Business success and genuine commitment to the fight for opportunities and social equalities are not incompatible.”

Silvio José Albuquerque e Silva, Brazilian Ambassador to Kenya

Through increased participation of women in all decision-making processes, more women in leadership positions, and success stories while in mayoral office, women-led cities will be a model for gender responsive transformative change in cities. Higher standards of living brought about through investments in water and sanitation facilities, public transportation, lighting and security, and informal settlement renovations will allow women to feel more comfortable, safe, and secure in their cities. Through innovative finance mechanisms, seed funding for women-led businesses, market expansion, and improving the rights and working conditions of the informal sector, women in cities will promote access to better economic opportunities for women.

Ms. Maria Gabriela Aguilera Jaramillo, Minister of Housing and Local Development in Ecuador

“Sustainable development needs to be designed from the perspective of women. There are few women leaders in politics, because we have been relegated historically from all these spaces; men have been the main characters,” said Ms. Maria Gabriela Aguilera Jaramillo, Minister of Housing and Local Development in Ecuador.

Ms. Violet Shivutse, Chair and Africa Regional Representative of Huairou Commission

Ms. Violet Shivutse, Chair and Africa Regional Representative of Huairou Commission, added, “When grassroots women come together, we are able to share knowledge to advance development and bring solutions to the table; this gives us the power to continue thriving in cities. We are not only addressing issues that affect us, but (that affect our) communities and cities as a whole.”
Women Led Cities stands on three pillars: 1) women’s economic empowerment, 2) safe places to live, free of violence and harassment, and 3) women’s leadership and political empowerment. By facilitating access to capital for building local and regional capacities, strengthening leadership and inclusive regulatory frameworks, and high impact investments in infrastructure, safety, and women-owned businesses, Women Led Cities will drive towards these targets.

Samina Anwar, Lead for Inclusive Cities Financing at UNCDF

Samina Anwar, Lead for Inclusive Cities Financing at UNCDF, explained, “Women Led Cities is a unique blended approach which brings together women mayors and women business leaders to implement an ambitious and transformative investment agenda that is rooted in local development strategies and plans.”
As the radius of the Women Led Cities network continues to widen, local leaders will be able to stand in solidarity, exchange best practices, and be a source of inspiration for young women and girls aspiring to be leaders themselves. Promoting female leadership and equipping local governments with the resources needed to deliver essential services and combat deeply entrenched poverty, discrimination, and vulnerabilities – especially related to growing inequalities – is one strategy which has been proven to deliver meaningful change to urban areas. Through traditional grant-making and technical expertise, combined with newer financing instruments, Women Led Cities will utilize an innovative catalytic fund for positive impact at scale.

Moderator Liane Freire, CEO of Blendlab and Ellaimpacta partner

Moderator Liane Freire, CEO of Blendlab and Ellaimpacta partner, concluded, “We have to start now.”