Women Mayors: Empowered Women Challenging the Norms

Around the world, there are numerous people who are breaking the norms and structures that have kept women at a disadvantaged position. This networking event will allow various actors to hear perspectives from cities and local governments, who commonly aspire to raise the role and number of women mayors and leaders. It will present the links of how local leaders, especially women mayors, empower and mold the minds of the people to actively participate in local development and decision-making, through the new programs and policies made during their service. At this event, women mayors will have the opportunity to share their ideas, applied projects, and their future plans with the participants; thus, this will also enlighten their minds with the comments and suggestions that they will receive from participants at this event. This forum will target and promote the two Sustainable Development Goals, which are: Goal 5 - Gender Equality and Goal 11 - Sustainable Cities, and Communities.

This session will tackle multiple themes, topics, and issues relating to the New Urban Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals by still keeping its focus to the women developing their city by slowly eradicating the traditional field of male dominated politicians and leaders. This session will also explore potential city-to-city collaboration in the field of women empowerment engaging local governments and community groups.

The agenda will showcase the leadership ability of women and aim to encourage more women, especially from the youth, into elected seats/positions at local governments.