Women in public spaces: Perceptions and initiatives to promote gender equality

Abstract

Despite the abundant scientific literature on gender equality, there is a ‘gap’ in women's representativeness in public spaces. This gap is addressed in this article, which investigates how the perception and use of public spaces by their female users should influence their planning, design, management, and uses. The objectives are, thus, to: identify the main characteristics of public spaces; analyse the differences in their perception and use according to gender; and propose measures to render them more inclusive. A dashboard that includes a set of indicators enables the demographic, economic, social and cultural characterization of users, and how they perceive and use these spaces. Portal da Amazónia provides a framework to promote the achievement of gender equality objectives. The data collected and its monitoring should support the implementation of the set of measures proposed, aimed at: participation as a form of belonging; autonomy, diversity and integration; vitality of the surroundings; safety and citizenship; and language and symbolic representation. It is also proposed the implementation of a digital user registration system to monitor use and satisfaction with public spaces (once these measures have been put into practice - which can be generalised to other public spaces in different locations and urban realities.