Urbanization poses multiple risks for women and girls, who are more vulnerable to air pollution and poor transport links 

More than 56 per cent of the world’s population lives in urban areas. The share is expected to rise to 70 per cent by 2050, including over 2 billion people aged 65 and above as well as persons with disabilities. They will require inclusive, accessible infrastructure and services, which is a difficult goal for resource-constrained municipalities. Further, as cities grow, traffic, congestion and air pollution will worsen. Older women are particularly vulnerable to poor mental and physical health from air pollution, with reports of higher suicide rates in China, increased rates of dementia in the United States and a greater reluctance to leave home in Pakistan. Women and girls also experience heightened risks of sexual harassment and other forms of violence in cities.

Mitigating these challenges depends on building inclusive, safe cities, with expanded access to energy-efficient and sustainable transport. In 2020, however, only 6 in every 10 urban residents had convenient access to public transportation. Persons with disabilities face significant disadvantages in accessing and using public transport, with limited provisions for their needs in most cities. Such gaps disproportionately affect women. In the United Kingdom, 45 per cent of women with disabilities often experience problems reaching their destinations due to gaps in accessible transport, compared to 35 per cent of men with disabilities.  

Achieving Goal 11 requires that cities worldwide integrate motorized transportation systems with walking and cycling, based on long-term sustainable urban mobility plans, targeted infrastructure investments and policy implementation. Special attention to ending sexual harassment in public spaces, ensuring safety, last-mile connectivity, increasing the number of women working in public transportation, level boarding to reduce steps, enforcement measures and security cameras on public transport are among the crucial factors for women and girls with disabilities and the elderly. 

Proportion of the urban population with convenient access to public transport, 2020 (percentage)