‘How to accelerate action towards gender equality in urban planning’

The National Chairman, Association of Women Town Planners in Nigeria (AWTPN), Rekiyat Ahuoiza Fache, has urged her colleagues to promote women’s participation in decision-making processes as a way of accelerating action towards gender equality in urban planning.

This, she said, included increasing the number of women in leadership positions and ensuring that women’s voices are heard in planning decisions.

Secondly, she said they must address the gender gap and ensure that women have equal access to education, training, and employment opportunities.

“This includes providing mentorship programs, scholarships, and other forms of support to help women advance in their careers,” she said.

She added the need to recognize and value the unpaid care work that women do. This, she said included providing affordable childcare options, flexible work arrangements, and other forms of support to help women balance their work and family responsibilities.

“As town planners, we recognize the critical role that women play in shaping the urban environment. Women are often the primary caregivers, managers of household resources, and users of public spaces. Therefore, it is essential that their perspectives and needs are taken into account in urban planning decisions,” she said

Fache gave these admonitions when making the 2025 International Women’s Day, themed: “Accelerate action; speed up progress towards gender equality,.”

“The theme resonates deeply with our mission as women town planners.

As the national chairman of AWTPN, she said she was proud to say that the organization is committed to promoting gender equality in urban planning.

“We have established a mentorship program for young women, provided training and capacity-building programs for our members, and advocated for policies that promote women’s participation in decision-making processes,” she said.

As the celebration goes on, she urged them to commit themselves to accelerating action towards gender equality in urban planning, adding that they should work together to promote women’s participation, address the gender pay gap, and recognize and value the unpaid care work that women do.

“However, we also recognize that there is still much work to be done. Women in Nigeria and worldwide continue to face significant barriers to equal participation in education, employment, and decision-making processes.

“Together, we can create a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future for all,” she said.

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