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CPD Accredited Training For Regeneration and Built Environment Professionals Devised by Women’s Design Service In consultation with the Equal Opportunities Commission Trainer Servane Mouazan. Mission Statement Women’s Design Service works to ensure
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CPD Accredited Training For Regeneration and Built Environment Professionals Devised by Women’s Design Service In consultation with the Equal Opportunities Commission Trainer Servane Mouazan
Mission Statement Women’s Design Service works to ensure that the design and use of the built environment reflects the needs and aspirations of women
Aims and Objectives of the Course By the end of the day you should be able to:- Recognise and identify key gender equality issues Understand in general terms how gender inequality affects individuals within the built environment Understand the likely format of the law on gender equality. Propose changes and take action on gender inequality and discrimination
Context 30 years after the introduction of the Sex Discrimination Act [SDA] there is still discrimination. Organisations are not obliged to promote equality.
Gender Mainstreaming “…the reorganisation, improvement, development and evaluation of all decision-making processes, in the sense that all actors participating in this process follow the idea of equality in all general policies and at all levels.” (European Council, 1998)
“Equal” does not mean “the same” There are differences between men and women that mean the way we plan, design and manage our built environment must reflect their different needs and requirements. Some differences are SOCIAL …. …….and some BIOLOGICAL
NATURE Biological Issues How does differing biology affect built environment requirements? nature
nature women are statistically on average smaller and physically less strong than men
nature A1 portfolio fits nicely under most men’s arms
nature Who decided what size a brick would be?
nature A man, presumably…
nature Le Corbusier’s “Modulor”. (based on a 6’ tall man) “A harmonious measure to the human scale universally applicable to Architecture and Mechanics” Le Corbusier 1951
nature average vertical reach of able bodied men vs women
nature standard height for top shelves
nature women menstruate
nature one of the consequences - women need much more time and therefore more “stations”
nature women get pregnant
nature consequences for women of getting pregnant?
nature Men don’t get pregnant…
nature women breastfeed
nature Few women feel this confident about breastfeeding in public
nature women live longer
nature • consequences can be increasing: • disability • poverty • loneliness
Discussion How does differing biology affect built environment requirements? nature
NURTURE Gendered roles in society How does society’s gender differentiation affect the built environment? nurture
First impressions Who do you imagine holding these items? nurture
nurture What comes to your mind first? Soldier? Baby-Sitter?
Same situation, different impact nurture
nurture Overall, the risk of violence was higher for men than for women in 2003. The risk of stranger violence for men was over three and one-half times that for women Men also had twice the risk of acquaintance violence. The British Crime Survey (BCS)- Dec 2003
women are by far the main victims of sexual assault and domestic violence what are the implications for the design of our towns? nurture
nurture Most victims of domestic violence become homeless However the homelessness is often “hidden” Women may be sleeping on friends’ sofas rather than on the street as is more likely for men
nurture Public spaces The perception of safety is not the same for men and women
nurture The bikes are safe… but am I?? Public spaces How does people’s perception affect the way they use the environment?
nurture Public spaces
nurture Public spaces multiple publics: multiple needs
nurture Public and Private spaces
nurture Women continue to be the primary care givers in our communities
nurture Men visit their GP late and/or seek treatment late in an illness.
nurture Women travel a lot more for business nowadays and often on their own Housewives do have a life outside of the kitchen…
Sex and Gender Sex refers to the biological differences between women and men Gender refers to male and female behaviours and norms, which are learnt, are different in different societies and change over the course of time There is interesting work and debate around transvestites and trans-sexuals exploring just how definite the divisions between male and female are
Gender “Blindness” Gender-blindness refers to a failure to identify or acknowledge difference on the basis of gender where it is significant. In this sense gender-blindness is much the same as systematic or institutionalised racism; you don’t notice it unless it affects you.
Decision Making and Consultation Facts Why those differences? Does it matter?
Women in Professions Men still hold over 90% of engineering jobs. Women account for only 2% of registered engineers In 2000 only 16% of architects, planners and surveyors were women 34% of architecture students are female – only 11% of fully qualified architects are women
Women in Decision Making Bodies only 118 (18%) of MPs are women local councillors are overwhelmingly male (71%) only 23% of senior managers in the civil service are women only 13% of local authority chief executives are women only 30% of positions on boards of public bodies are held by women
Does it matter? Women are under-represented as policy makers. What is the outcome? The built environment is largely designed to fit men’s biological condition – many things are too high and too heavy for women to use comfortably. What can be done to eradicate long queues usually found outside women’s toilets? If designed by men, the world is largely designed to fit men’s social condition (focus on the world of work, access to a car, no encumbrances of children and shopping, etc.)
Is legislation the answer? In small groups, discuss whether legislation works for: Race issues Disability issues Health and safety issues
Law on Gender Equality The duty will come into force in the spring 2007. You will be expected to have developed gender equality schemes:- containing clear goals for action based on solid evidence decided in consultation with your stakeholders
The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) will continue to release further information and guidance until and after the legislation goes through Parliament keep consulting www.eoc.org.uk/genderequality