Gender and Disability Inclusion in Urban Development
More than half the world’s population (55 per cent) lives in urban areas, a figure projected to reach 68 per cent by 2050. Cities can either foster inclusion or perpetuate exclusion, based on their design. However, so far, rapid, unplanned urbanisation in India has presented serious challenges in the creation and maintenance of critical social and physical urban infrastructure – housing, transportation and mobility, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), to name a few. This has a detrimental impact on the quality of life for all, but particularly vulnerable groups such as women and girls, persons with disabilities, elderly persons, urban poor among others.
From an examination of existing legal and policy frameworks on urban development, the key issue that emerges is the lack of consideration given to the diversity of urban users and their varying needs. While many factors are responsible for this, the absence of a decentralised, people-centric approach and a coordination among various government agencies are the major reasons why the needs of diverse, vulnerable groups are not reflected in dominant paradigms of urban design. For instance, while gender equality and disability inclusion are outlined as goals both at the global and the national level, their realisation in the urban context lies with the state and municipal authorities.
This policy brief highlights the specific vulnerabilities faced by women, girls and persons with disabilities in the city, and advocates for their inclusion through the adoption of participatory, gender transformative approaches. It recommends a multi-pronged, coordinated approach with recommendations at the National, State and Municipal level, along with general recommendations for systemic reform aimed at strengthening local institutions, promoting decentralised participatory planning and design, and increasing political representation of women and persons with disabilities in planning and governance.
We believe that adopting such gender transformative approaches would be critical to ensure inclusive cities. Designing safe, accessible and affordable urban transport and mobility infrastructure that accounts for the needs of persons with disabilities and their caregivers, is essential. In addition, extensive WASH coverage with public sanitation facilities that are free and accessible, robust digital infrastructure that is accessible and affordable to women, girls and persons with disabilities are some of the key steps that need to be taken.
To read the policy brief in English or Hindi, please download from the links given below. Please note that the PDFs below are accessible for persons with disabilities.
The policy brief was prepared by Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy for the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, in support of a joint initiative between UN in India and the National Institute of Urban Affairs.
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About the Authors
Sneha was a Senior Resident Fellow at Vidhi, Karnataka working on Urban Development and Municipal Governance. She is interested in feminist urbanism, local governance and socio-legal research. She is a 2015 law graduate from ILS Law College, Pune and subsequently, pursued a postgraduate diploma in liberal studies from Ashoka University. She has previously worked at the Chairman’s office, Quality Council of India on multiple projects with the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Ministry of Railways. Prior to joining Vidhi, she worked at the Hyderabad Urban Lab, researching legal and policy aspects of conservation of urban heritage in the city.
Damini is Team Lead for Disability (Inclusion & Access). She primarily handles engaged/commissioned projects from various ministries, statutory authorities and regulators, where she provides legal research and drafting support at various stages of law-making. Damini works on a variety of legal and regulatory matters and allied issues in public policy. Prior to joining Vidhi, Damini worked at Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co and thereafter at Tuli & Co where she focused extensively on insurance regulatory advisory (non-contentious) work, product development and general corporate matters. She has also undertaken policy work and advised on several other regulatory issues arising under the foreign contribution laws, labeling rules of packaged commodities, and law governing drugs and cosmetics in India. She has also worked as a legal consultant to the Central Information Commission and advised on various issues arising under the Right to Information Act, 2005. Damini graduated from the National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata (NUJS) in 2008 with a B.A., LL.B. (Hons.) and obtained her LL.M. degree in regulatory laws and policy from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 2013.
Namratha is a Research Fellow at Vidhi, Karnataka. She graduated with a B.A., LL.B (Hons.) degree from NALSAR University of Law in 2020. She was previously a part of the LAMP Fellowship cohort of 2020-21. Her research interests include Intellectual Property and access to medicines, healthcare, and urban governance. Her other interests include quizzing, photography, and creative writing.