Gender Perspectives in Public Facilities Play An Important Role in Supporting Gender Equality

 Juneidi Coloay

Feminist Society – In the quest for gender equality, one aspect that often gets overlooked is the design and management of public facilities. A gender perspective in public facilities is not just about providing separate restrooms or changing rooms for different genders. It is about understanding and addressing the unique needs and experiences of all genders in the use of these facilities. Thereby, gender perspectives in public facilities come into play in supporting gender equality.

Understanding Gender Perspective

A gender perspective involves recognizing that men, women, and non-binary individuals may have different needs and experiences when it comes to public facilities. This could be due to biological differences, societal norms, or personal preferences. For instance, women may require sanitary bins in restrooms, parents may need changing tables for babies, and individuals with disabilities may need facilities that are accessible and easy to use.

Why is it Important?

Incorporating a gender perspective in public facilities is crucial for several reasons:

1.       Promotes Equality and Inclusion

By considering the unique needs of all genders, we can ensure that everyone has equal access to and can equally benefit from public facilities. If we take it into the Indonesian context, this also means that we have been running equality before the law principle that is enshrined in the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia. This is a fundamental aspect of social inclusion and gender equality.

2.       Enhances Safety and Comfort

Gender-sensitive facilities can enhance the safety and comfort of users. When there are special public facilities that are provided for specific purposes based on gender considerations, it can make people feel secure and comfortable. For example, well-lit and regularly maintained restrooms can help reduce the risk of harassment or violence.

3.       Reflects Diversity and Respect

A gender perspective in public facilities sends a powerful message that our society recognizes and respects diversity. It shows that we care about the needs and experiences of all members of our community.

In essence, according to the aforementioned reasons, incorporating a gender perspective in the design and management of public facilities is not just a matter of fairness or equality. It’s about creating spaces that are safe, comfortable, and accessible for everyone. As we continue to strive for gender equality, let’s not forget the important role that our public facilities play in this endeavor.

Remember, equality is not just about treating everyone the same; it’s about acknowledging our differences and ensuring that these differences do not become barriers to access and opportunity.

What Factors Should We Consider to Encourage Gender Perspective in Public Spaces?

Encouraging public spaces to adopt a gender perspective can be achieved through several strategies:

1.       Awareness and Education

The first step is to raise awareness about the importance of a gender perspective in public facilities. This could be done through campaigns, workshops, and seminars that highlight the benefits of gender-sensitive design. This also could be done by utilizing a digital platform to educate, advocate, socialize, and speak out loud regarding the importance of gender perspective in public facilities. Moreover, in today’s digital era, there are so many digital platforms that focus on gender equality issues. Feminist Society is one of the examples.

2.       Policy and Legislation

Governments can play a crucial role by implementing policies and regulations that mandate the consideration of gender perspectives in the design and management of public facilities. In Indonesia, the urban planning policies are relied on respective local governments. However, the problem is that Indonesia is an archipelago state where there are so many disparities among the cities. Therefore, we should strive to create development balance in every city.

3.       Funding and Resources

Provide funding and resources for the implementation of gender-sensitive designs in public facilities. This could be in the form of grants, incentives, or technical assistance.

4.       Partnerships

Collaborate with NGOs, community organizations, and private sector companies that are committed to promoting gender equality. These partnerships can help amplify efforts and reach a wider audience.

Remember, change often takes time and persistence. But with concerted effort and commitment, we can create public spaces that are inclusive, safe, and accessible for everyone.

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View More:

Samuel Dubin., et al. Public Restrooms in Neighborhoods and Public Spaces: a Qualitative Study of Transgender and Nonbinary Adults in New York City. Sexuality Research and Social Policy. Volume 18. Number 3. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-020-00504-3.

Miaojing Wei. Boundaries of Transgender Access to Public Facilities in the United States. International Journal of Frontiers in Sociology. Volume 5. Number 1. DOI: https://doi.org/10.25236/IJFS.2023.050113.

Michelle Amri. Equity and gender mainstreaming in public policy: A scoping review protocol. PLOS One. Volume 19. Number 2. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0299124.

https://items.ssrc.org/just-environments/public-spaces-private-acts-toilets-and-gender-equality/

https://socialprotection-humanrights.org/framework/principles/gender-perspective/