The Women’s Affairs Unit at the Center of Urban and Regional Planning for Postgraduate Studies at the University of Baghdad organized a workshop entitled “The Role of Women in Enhancing Community Participation in Urban Planning.” The workshop was presented by Dr. Bushra Yassin, Head of the Ibn Sina Unit at the Center, and was attended by the Dean of the Center, Professor Dr. Karim Hassan Alwan, along with a number of professors and staff members.
The workshop aimed to highlight the role of women in promoting community participation in urban planning and to demonstrate the importance of their contribution to urban development and achieving sustainable development. It also aimed to support their participation in decision-making and planning to meet the diverse needs of the community.
The workshop addressed several topics related to the concept of community participation and urban planning, the role of women in planning and building sustainable cities, and Iraqi laws and international conventions for empowering women in urban development after raising their awareness of community participation in urban planning. Dr. Yassin reached several conclusions affirming the vital and active role of women in promoting community participation and supporting urban planning. She noted that women’s participation contributes to identifying community needs and achieving more inclusive and sustainable urban development. Furthermore, raising awareness of the importance of their role helps improve community cooperation in urban planning and development.
The workshop’s recommendations included the necessity of supporting and empowering women to participate in urban planning activities and programs. It also emphasized the importance of conducting workshops and awareness sessions to foster a culture of community participation among women. Additionally, the workshop recommended encouraging governmental and academic institutions to involve women in urban development decision-making processes and strengthening cooperation between relevant authorities and civil society organizations to support women’s role in local development.
