Innovation and digital technology to enhance the participation of women and girls in cities
Innovation and digital technologies have created new communication and collaboration channels, allowing for new approaches to political engagement as well as participation in urban governance and development outcomes. Like many opportunities however, it is important to understand who benefits and how. With Agenda 2030s commitment to gender equality across all sectors of development, how innovation and digital technology empower women and girls must be understood, engaged with and monitored.
Towns and cities around the world provide a dynamic setting to understand the nexus between innovation, digital technology and the empowerment of women and girls. Innovation and technology have the potential to serve as key drivers of change in cities and provide opportunities to reach women and girls, particularly those considered left behind.
This event aims to showcase a series of impactful initiatives that have used innovation and technology to change the lives of women and girls in cities. The event will focus on how the innovation or technology has improved participatory processes in planning, access to land and basic services, decision making in slum upgrading, and in participatory budgeting. The event will explore how innovation and technology can empower women and girls and contribute to the learning required to understand the principles and pre- conditions needed to deliver gender responsive technology and innovation.