When Women Build Cities – Webinar Recap
On International Women’s Day, The Climate Agenda hosted a one-hour webinar titled “When Women Build Cities” as part of the Harit Safar initiative – bringing together experts, practitioners, and over 80+ participants to explore women’s role in shaping safer, more inclusive urban spaces.
The session featured two distinguished speakers: Ms. Sonali Vyas, Director – Programs and Operations at Safetipin, and Ms. Shweta Vernekar, Senior Programme Associate at Parisar, whose insights anchored a rich and wide-ranging conversation on gender-responsive urban mobility.
Ms. Vyas shed light on grassroots safety audits, demonstrating how women can actively document safety concerns in public spaces and contribute to data-driven, community-led urban planning. Her inputs underscored how localized knowledge can shape larger policy frameworks.
Ms. Vernekar spoke on women’s multifaceted role in public transport – not merely as users, but as decision-makers and service providers. She highlighted how fare-free public transport can expand women’s access to education and employment, while also stressing the need for improved walking infrastructure and non-motorized transport, given that women form a significant share of urban pedestrians.
The webinar reinforced a powerful message: cities work better when women are at the table. Participants engaged actively, gaining practical insights into safety audits, gender-responsive infrastructure, and inclusive policy design.
The session also strengthened collaboration between The Climate Agenda, Safetipin, and Parisar – building networks that can drive future advocacy for equitable and sustainable urban mobility.
This webinar is part of our ongoing work under Harit Safar to advance inclusive, low-carbon urban transport solutions.
