Ahram Online spoke on the sidelines of the forum to Nancy Charlotte, Norway's Deputy Minister for Local Government and Regional Development, who shared her vision for empowering girls and women. 

Charlotte offered valuable insights into how local governments can empower women, especially in housing and urban planning.

She emphasized to Ahram Online that empowering women in urban development requires a multi-layered approach.

Charlotte highlighted the importance of ensuring equal educational opportunities for both girls and boys.

"You have to make sure in educational systems that girls and boys have the same opportunities," she said.

Charlotte cited Norway as an example of a country that empowers girls and women, highlighting that an increasing number of girls are pursuing education in fields traditionally dominated by men, such as engineering.

She underscored the significance of equal pay for equal work while stressing that empowering women in urban development goes beyond wages.

"You have to make sure you have equal payment for the work you do," she emphasized before explaining that women must be involved in all stages of housing development—from planning to decision-making about financial matters and the design of living environments.

Furthermore, the Deputy Minister highlighted the need for women to have a voice in the decisions regarding where and how houses are built.

"Women should also be involved in deciding where to put the houses and how to build them," Charlotte said, underscoring that their perspectives are crucial for creating inclusive and functional urban spaces.

She believed that events like WUF12 are vital in raising awareness about women's societal roles.

"Yes, of course, you need that. And you need to remember it in every step of all processes," she said, emphasizing that discussions about gender equality should be integrated into every aspect of urban development.

Reflecting on the significance of Cairo hosting the event, Charlotte acknowledged that while Africa and Norway face different challenges, shared principles unite them.

"I think Africa is, of course, very different from Norway. But the similarity is that you have to start with the local government and decide where the people are," she said.

Charlotte emphasized the crucial role of local governments in fostering education and gender equality throughout urban planning.

"You have to build the people, get education for both girls and boys and ensure gender equality at every step of the process," she concluded.

Speakers at the Women's Assembly during the 12th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12)

The WUF12, convened by UN-Habitat from 4 to 8 November in New Cairo, is themed "It all starts at home: Local actions for sustainable cities and communities."

The forum, attended by thousands of participants worldwide, discussed cities' environmental challenges and the role of people driving transformative change—particularly women—in building sustainable and inclusive urban environments.

The Women's Assembly at the forum discussed women's empowerment and gender equality, providing a platform to shape discourse on women's rights in urban settings.

The assembly comprised six discussion groups led by a diverse range of experts, including government officials, activists, and UN representatives. The groups covered topics such as housing, gender equality, climate change, and women in crisis settings.

The WUF12 in 2024 focused on six key themes:

1. Housing Our Future – Addressing global housing challenges.
2. Cities and the Climate Crisis – Exploring the role of cities in climate action.
3. Stronger Together – Promoting partnerships for resilient, inclusive cities.
4. Financing Localization and Localizing Finance – Improving local governments' access to finance for sustainable growth.
5. Putting People First in a Digital Era – Using technology to create inclusive urban solutions.
6. The Loss of Home – Addressing displacement caused by global crises.

WUF12 emphasized localized solutions to urban issues such as rapid urbanization, poverty, housing shortages, and climate change. It aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and showcases innovative, community-led strategies.