What should a female-friendly city be like?

The journalist from Southern Finance Omnimedia Corp. posed this question when meeting Claudia López at the event of the 6th Guangzhou International Award for Urban Innovation (Guangzhou Award). Claudia López, the former mayor of Bogotá, Colombia, the former president of the World Metropolitan Association, and an advocate for urban development and women's empowerment, shared her insights on creating a female-friendly city.

During her tenure as mayor of Bogotá, Claudia López actively implemented the "Care System" project, which aimed to define the scope and reduce the burden of unpaid household chores and caregiving work, primarily carried out by women. The project introduced "Care Blocks" to provide services and support to caregivers, allowing them to access education, leisure activities, and income-generating opportunities, while also offering professional assistance to those being cared for, such as children, disabled individuals, and the elderly.

Claudia López emphasized the importance of addressing time poverty and economic poverty, particularly among women. Time poverty refers to the additional hours women spend on unpaid caregiving and household chores, which often limits their opportunities for education and personal development.

In Bogotá, nine out of ten caregivers are women, highlighting the need to address gender disparities in caregiving responsibilities. In that case, the "Care Blocks" is designed to benefit everyone instead of being exclusive to women.

On the evening of December 7, 2023, along with four other cities, Bogotá won the prize at the Guangzhou Award. Claudia López highly praised this award, stating that it recognizes the efforts in women's cause in Bogotá.

Moreover, Claudia López expressed her optimism about cooperation between China and Bogotá in urban development, emphasizing the value of mutual learning and understanding through advanced communication technologies.

Overall, a female-friendly city should prioritize addressing time poverty and economic inequality, provide support systems for caregivers, and promote equal opportunities for women's education and personal development. By creating an environment that values and supports women, cities can strive for fairness, equity, and a better society for all.

Source: Southern Finance Omnimedia Corp.