The survey showed that this European city is the best for women's lives
Date: 2023-08-02 Author: Karina Ziganova Categories: TRAVELS, BLOG 18+
The booming British capital overtook Tokyo and Paris to top the global survey, which asked women's experts in 19 metropolitan areas how well each metropolitan area works for women.
“There is no other city in the world where I would like to raise my daughters,” said Mayor Sadiq Khan, who took office in May 2016.
As the first Muslim to lead a Western capital, Khan wants his city to also become a pioneer in gender equality.
He praised London as one of the world's most progressive capitals, where women play a key role in society, leading a male-dominated workforce who fight fires, catch criminals and run governments.
But the mayor warned against complacency.
He highlighted the significant gender pay gap in the city and said that there were still too few female role models at the highest levels of public life.
“As a proud feminist, I am determined to do my best to remove these barriers for women,” he added.
"I want London to be not only the best city in the world to be a woman, I want it to be a pioneer in the fight for gender equality in all its forms and manifestations"
The survey was conducted only in the largest cities of each country, and the experts were asked how well women are protected from sexual violence and harmful cultural practices, as well as their access to healthcare and finance.
HIDDEN ISSUES
Tokyo was ranked the safest city when respondents were asked if women live without the risk of sexual violence, including rape, assault and harassment. London finished in fifth place.
Governor Yuriko Koike said she was proud of the result and will focus on further improving security ahead of the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. She said the city also aims to increase the representation of women in society and the economy.
“We are moving forward with programs to encourage diversity and make Tokyo a place where everyone, including women, can lead a more vibrant life,” she said.
But women's rights activists said sexual violence remains hidden in Tokyo, one of the first cities to introduce women-only train cars because of the groping.
“Sexual violence is not visible in Japan. People don't talk about it," said activist Kanoko Kamata, founder of the women's empowerment group Chabudai Gaeshi Joshi.
London, where the government's National Health Service provides free health care, ranked first in health care as well as access to economic resources such as education, land and financial services.
However, Sophie Walker, head of Britain's Women's Equality Party, said she was shocked that London topped the poll, citing the gender pay gap and "predatory" spending on childcare.
She said that violence against women is also widespread, with 60,000 domestic violence cases reported to the police last year.
“Honestly, it’s a scandal that in one of the richest cities in the world we see women feel so bad,” Walker said.
"The fact that London was ranked first in this poll speaks volumes about the magnitude of the task that remains to be done to make women equal around the world."
Sam Smeters, head of the Fawcett Society, Britain's leading women's rights charity, said the country's planned exit from the European Union could undermine women's rights and living standards.
“When the economy shrinks, women suffer disproportionately,” she said. "London will be hit hard and it will have a major impact on women."
STREET HARASSION
London's traditional rival Paris came in third. It ranked second in health and fourth in risk of sexual assault.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said the result showed the French capital was a "hospitable, fulfilling and safe city" for women.
She spoke about campaigns to promote equality and reduce street harassment and said she plans to expand childcare and strengthen the role of women in startups and the digital economy.
“Progress has been made, but much remains to be done to combat discrimination and achieve real equality,” she added.
But entrepreneur and prominent feminist Marie Boschen said harassment remains a big problem.
“Paris still has a long way to go,” she said. "It's extremely rare to go one week without being persecuted."
New York ranked seventh overall and ninth in economic opportunity.
Mayor Bill de Blasio's office said it has introduced many women-friendly measures, including combating domestic violence and appointing more women to leadership positions in city hall.
But Sonia Ossorio, president of New York's National Organization for Women, said the city must take action to combat sexual violence, expand access to healthcare, address pay equity, especially for Hispanic and black women, and reduce poverty for mothers. loners.
"These results clearly show that we still have work to do."
