Women’s rights activists have called on the government to consider the needs of women in its delivery of public services while also increasing its budget for women, and enacting and enforcing laws and policies to protect and promote their rights. Action Aid Myanmar, in cooperation with local partner organizations, launched a “safe cities campaign” at its office in Yangon on October 12, saying that women are experiencing urban insecurity, particularly in Yangon. Their definition of urban insecurity for women goes beyond physical violence or sexual harassment, but also considers their accessibility to health care, education, job opportunities and public utilities like electricity and transportation in urban areas. Their definition of urban insecurity for women goes beyond physical violence or sexual harassment, but also considers their accessibility to health care, education, job opportunities and public utilities like electricity and transportation in urban areas.

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The post Activists say urban insecurity hampers women’s capacity first appeared on Open Development Mekong.