DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL has signed up to the United Nations Women Safe Cities Global Programme (SCGP). The SCGP is working in cities across the globe to prevent and reduce sexual harassment and violence in public places.

The council said that there is evidence to support the idea that “a city that is safer for women and girls is safer for everyone”.

Lord Mayor of Dublin, Naoise Ó Muirí, said the council strongly believes that” everyone has the right to enjoy the city without harassment irrespective of gender, age or ethnic background”.

“Dublin by International standards is already a safe city but through this programme we can make it ever safer,” he said.

Participation in the programme involves:

1. Initial scoping study to establish an indication of the levels and pervasiveness of harassment and violence in the city. The study can focus on a specific geographic area or a particular group of women.
2. A strong monitoring and evaluation element over time and before and after any programme intervention.
3. Establishment of a working group to propose and implement a programme intervention.
4. The intervention could range from a tech innovation using mobile technology for recording or informing policing strategies; awareness raising campaign; gender safety audits; mainstreaming of gender safety into urban planning; policy or legislative responses; low tech solutions such as better lighting / signage in a particular area.

The National Women’s Council of Ireland said the decision will “allow us to develop innovative and effective responses, including by mainstreaming gender safety into urban planning, making use of new technology and learning from good practice at political and legislative level”.

Dublin City Council is putting in place a ‘working group’ to drive the programme forward and will invite representatives of women’s organisations, An Garda Síochana, the Department of Justice and Equality, Mandate Trade Union (which has a large female membership), employers and the statutory Equality Authority to participate.

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