Gender and infrastructure
With increasing public investments in infrastructure, it is crucial to ensure that benefits from these investments are equitable and informed by an understanding of gender impacts to contribute effectively to fairer long-term growth while also progressing gender equality.
Why is this important?
Women and men do not benefit equally from public investments. Both genders have diverse needs and use infrastructure differently depending on their social roles, economic status or preferences. Women and men also face different challenges in terms of poverty, unemployment, safety, wellbeing, economic and political empowerment.
By incorporating gender considerations into the infrastructure cycle and involving more women in infrastructure leadership, governments can ensure public investments effectively contribute to progressing gender equality and eradicating violence against women and girls.
A life-cycle perspective is key to preventing emerging policies and reforms from being disassociated and siloed, which can negatively impact their efficiency and effectiveness. It also ensures that women’s voices are heard at all stages of the investment and delivery process.
How to adopt a gender mainstreaming approach during the infrastructure life cycle?
Country case studies
-
Gender mainstreaming in planning and prioritisation
-
Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2020-2023
-
Gender-disaggregated infrastructure data
-
Mainstreaming gender considerations
-
Investing in Canada Plan
-
Gender-based Analysis Plus
-
Women in Construction Fund
-
Infrastructure Economic Account (GIH, 2021)
-
U.S. Bank Stadium (GIH)