Brief – Sharpening the lens: Mayors’ commitments on gender equality translated into action

Local governments are working with local women and women’s rights organizations, with support from national governments, the United Nations, and donors, to close gender gaps, empower women, and end violence against women and girls in communities and cities.

Launched by UN Women in November 2023, the Quito Declaration, also known as the Global Commitment of Mayors to Accelerate Action: Gender Equality and Safe Cities and Safe Public Spaces with and for Women and Girls outlines concrete steps cities can take to advance these goals.

This brief shares the progress made by 46 cities across 23 countries in turning these commitments into action between November 2023 and August 2026. It underscores the critical role of local governments in taking action to promote gender equality, with concrete examples of initiatives taken by cities.