Gender Equity walks

Public spaces play a significant role in community life and provide places for people to:

• foster social connections,
• engage in sport and physical activity, and
• access green spaces.

Being able to occupy public space can positively impact on social, mental, and physical health and wellbeing.

Women’s experiences and perceptions of public spaces differs to that of men, and it is important to take these differences into account when planning and designing spaces for the community. The evidence shows that women are more likely than men to feel unsafe in public spaces and can also feel that a space is not designed with them in mind.

Women’s Health East (WHE) explored this topic in their paper ‘Creating Safe and Inclusive Public Spaces for Women’. Based on the findings from the report, they saw an opportunity to pilot a project which elevated the voices and expertise of local women to create safe and inclusive public spaces. Through funding from state government, WHE piloted gender equity walks in both Maroondah City Council and Monash City Council.

A gender equity walk elevates the voices and expertise of local women to create safe and inclusive public spaces. By engaging with local women to ‘walk’ a proposed site, the walk facilitates a space for women to provide their perspective and experience on public space in a meaningful way.

The project engaged 37 women across the two walks, and they were able to share their experiences of spaces in a public forum. This pilot project was unique in its delivery; due to the COVID-19 outbreak, one walk was delivered virtually, and one face to face.

The gender equity walks demonstrate the need for:

• a gendered approach to the planning and design of public places, and
• the importance of listening to women’s lived experience in order create spaces that are safe and inclusive for the whole community.

To find out more about the gender equity walks and read the final reports, go to the Women’s Health East website: Gender Equity walks

For more information, or to investigate implementing a Gender Equity Walk in your local government area, please contact: Vanessa Czerniawski, Health Promotion Coordinator, WHE: vczerniawski@whe.org.au