1. Context and Urban Transformation

• By 2050, over 800 million people in India (~50% of the population) will live in urban areas, driving significant spatial, economic, and demographic change.
  
  
• Cities are the engines of modern governance and democracy, making equitable urban governance essential.
  
  

2. Progress in Local Governance but Not Bureaucracy

• Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) have advanced gender equity via 33% reservation for women, now increased to 50% in 17 States and 1 UT.
  
  
• Over 46% of local elected representatives are now women (Ministry of Panchayati Raj, 2021).
  
  
• BUT: Urban bureaucracies remain overwhelmingly male-dominated, especially in:
  
  
  • Engineering services
    
    
  • Urban planning
    
    
  • Police administration
    
    
  • Transport departments
    
    

3. Underrepresentation in Urban Bureaucracy

• Women make up only 20% of IAS officers in urban-centric services (IndiaSpend 2022).
  
  
• Even lower representation in technical roles like municipal engineering and transport.
  
  
• Studies show women officers bring different perspectives, prioritizing safety, health, and equitable services.
  
  

4. Consequences of Gender Gaps

• Biased planning outcomes:
  
  
  • 84% of women in Delhi & Mumbai use shared transport but urban planning prioritizes private vehicles.
    
    
  • 60%+ of public spaces in cities rated unsafe for women.
    
    
  • Only 7% women in police – leading to skewed enforcement and public trust deficit.
    
    
• Lack of gender equity = Ineffective service delivery + exclusion of vulnerable citizens.
  
  

5. Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB)

• GRB integrates gender into public finance & planning.
  
  
• Ensures women’s needs are considered in budget allocations.
  
  
• India’s efforts:
  
  
  • Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Delhi, and Bihar have led initiatives.
    
    
  • Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs and UN Women promote gender budgeting in Smart Cities.
    
    

6. Global Examples of Gender Equity in Governance

• Brazil: Prioritized sanitation and health through gender-based budgeting.
  
  
• South Korea: Gender reforms improved public service delivery.
  
  
• Philippines & Tunisia: Safer cities through inclusive urban planning.
  
  
• Uganda, Kenya, South Africa: Women involved in participatory planning & budgeting.
  
  

7. Way Forward: The Cities We Deserve

• Need to institutionalize inclusive design via:
  
  
  • Quotas for women in recruitment, engineering, and administration.
    
    
  • Technical education access for girls.
    
    
  • Leadership training in urban governance.
    
    
  • Public awareness for shared decision-making.
    
    
• Women’s leadership ensures cities are more responsive, equitable, and safe.
  
  

🧾 UPSC-Style Questions

🔹 GS1 – Society & Social Issues | GS2 – Governance

10-Marker (150 words)

1. Discuss the importance of gender equity in urban governance in the context of India’s demographic transition.