Cities should be a space of safety: Bahar Muradova at WUF13

Within the framework of the Women's Assembly held on the sidelines of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, the Chairperson of the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs of Azerbaijan, Bahar Muradova, delivered the opening speech.

As reported by 1News.az, at the beginning of her speech she welcomed the forum participants and thanked the organizers for including issues of women's inclusivity, urban development and affordable housing on the international agenda.
According to Bahar Muradova, modern cities should be viewed not only as economic centers but also as spaces oriented toward safety, accessibility and quality of life for people.

She stressed that women and girls continue to face serious challenges in accessing safe and decent housing, especially amid armed conflicts, humanitarian crises and climate change.

"People's lives depend not only on economic opportunities but also on the availability of safe, accessible and people-oriented spaces in cities," she stated.

The committee chairperson noted that gender-oriented approaches underpin the "Housing for All" strategy, and equal access to property rights, economic opportunities and social protection mechanisms should help strengthen gender equality.

Special attention in the speech was given to Azerbaijan's approach to reconstruction and urban planning in the post-conflict period. In addition, models of "smart" and sustainable cities based on the principles of green growth, social integration and a safe urban environment are being implemented in the liberated territories.
She also emphasized that these approaches are reflected in the master plan of Baku, where priority is given to public spaces, mobility, green infrastructure and the development of social services.

Separately, attention was focused on the importance of women's participation in architectural and urban planning processes, noting the need for coordination between state institutions, the private sector and public organizations.

In conclusion, she stated that the outcomes of WUF13 should contribute to the formation of more inclusive, safe and sustainable cities, and Azerbaijan will continue to support international cooperation and experience sharing in this area.