The Working Group works to promote a gender perspective and work on gender equality. For a democratic development of the Union it is necessary that women participate and influence its work at all levels and the Working Group has been established to support and ensure this development.

It is of great importance to strengthen and accelerate the work on gender equality in the UBC and its member cities and regions. Local authorities play a key role in the work for gender equality because of their closeness to the citizens. Both women and men can take part in this work and both women and men will benefit from a gender equal society.

The Working Group wants to ensure a stronger presence of gender issues in the work of UBC in the cities by strengthening the cooperation with commissions.

The Working Group focuses on three main areas promoting gender equality and these are:

• Eradication of all forms of gender-based violence
• Elimination of gender stereotypes resulting in discrimination at decision making level and labor market
• Social and urban planning

The Working Group will advance towards its goals by:

• Awareness-raising within the field of gender equality
• Lobbying for women's representation at all levels of the UBC
• Promoting that a gender perspective is integrated into all the activities of the UBC
• Channeling information and contacts of the member cities
• Arranging conferences, seminars and meetings

According to the Kemi decision each Commission should include in their forthcoming work plans “information on how they will promote gender equality."

Specific aims for the year 2016

The year 2016 will be the 10th Anniversary of the CEMR Declaration. The Declaration is going to be a topic in the meeting of the WG meeting in autumn in Gdansk. The WG wants to concentrate on its work towards getting cities to sign the declaration and to make action plans on implementation of gender equality.

The Commission is open for new members. Politicians, officials, managers and other interested from the member cities are welcome to join the Commission. Both women and men are invited to join in this work!

To join or to receive more information please write to the Coordinators.

The Interim Coordination of the Working Group:

Hanna Maiden: Helsinki, City Hall, e-mail: hanna.maidell@hel.fi

Małgorzata Tarasiewicz, Gdańsk, Network of East-West Women, tarasiewicz@neww.org.pl

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UBC Commission on gender equality visited European Institute for Gender Equality:
http://www.eige.europa.eu/UBC-Commission-on-gender-equality-visits-EIGE  

Joint meeting of the UBC Commissions on Gender Equality and Urban Planning
27-29 May 2013, Umeå

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