The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
Towards a resilient and inclusive urban landscape in Nepal
A European Union-funded initiative is set to support the creation of gender-inclusive public spaces in Nepal.
Cities 4 Women, the four-year project signed between UNOPS and the European Union, aims to develop public spaces that are more responsive to the needs of women and a changing climate. Under the project, UNOPS, Cities Alliance, the Ministry of Urban Development and UN-Habitat are coming together to help reshape Nepal's urban landscape in selected municipalities and a sub-metropolitan area.
I see the project Cities 4 Women as a solution, addressing the challenge of gender-inclusive public spaces and generating a proof of concept that will increase public demand for such spaces. Together, we can create a safer and more inclusive environment for all.
Cities in Nepal are rapidly growing, with a significant portion of the population moving to urban and peri-urban areas in search of better opportunities. Against the backdrop of rapid urbanization and growing climate vulnerability, public spaces and urban services can play a crucial role. They open up opportunities for women to work, access education and essential services as well as socialize. However, concerned for their safety, many women in the country avoid these spaces, limiting education, economic participation and political engagement. It underscores the urgent need to create safer and more inclusive public environments to support women in Nepal.
Nepal’s Cities 4 Women prioritizes policy intervention and implementation at multiple levels of government.
“Gender sensitivity and climate resilience will be the two lenses through which municipal plans will be reviewed and improved. The lessons learned will be mainstreamed in the National Urban Development Policy and Strategy for country-wide replication,” said Deependra Nath Sharma, UNOPS Programme Management Advisor in Nepal.
