Interview: “Our communities, our democracy, and the resilience of our planet cannot thrive without equality”

Date:

Beijing+30 Regional Review Meeting
Ms. Carola Gunnarson (center), Special Envoy for Freedom, Solidarity, and the Fight against Violence targeting Local Political Leaders, United Cities and Local Governments during the Beijing+30 Regional Review Meeting, Geneva, Switzerland. Photo: UN Women/Antoine Tardy

Ms. Carola Gunnarson is the Special Envoy for Freedom, Solidarity, and the Fight against Violence targeting Local Political Leaders, United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG). She currently serves as a Councillor for Sala Municipality in Sweden, a role she has held since 2002. At the Beijing+30 Regional Review Meeting, titled “Reviewing 30 Years of Beijing Commitments to Accelerate Gender Equality in the UNECE Region,” held on 21-22 October 2024, progress on women’s rights and gender equality was assessed ahead of the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. In this regard, Ms. Gunnarson shared her insights on how local governments can contribute to advancing gender equality as we approach the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

How can local government use multi-stakeholder partnerships to promote gender equality and achieve sustainable development goals (SDG)?

Together with our communities and stakeholders, local and regional governments work to reduce poverty and end hunger while promoting health and well-being for all. We are accelerating the ecological transition, rooted in social justice, safeguarding democracy, and building peace from the ground up.

Our vision can only be achieved through the co-creation of transformative partnerships and alliances, and the strengthening of multilevel, multistakeholder, and cross-sectoral governance. This must be based on a democratic, whole-of-society approach, with participation from all communities - particularly women and youth – and centered on intergenerational and cross-regional dialogue.

Building on international cooperation, solidarity, and subsidiarity, we are articulating such partnerships and alliances through high-impact coalitions. These local-global coalitions form the foundation of the Local SDG Rescue Plan. They mobilize political commitment to accelerate localization, energizing and scaling up local action with global impact.

Why should local governments be at the center of the sustainable development agenda?

The localization of global agendas for sustainable development and equality is at the heart of our priorities and the Municipal Movement. Embracing our mandate with clarity and determination, we unite to rescue the SDGs by 2030. Local public policies and service provision - ranging from healthcare to education, climate resilience to social protection - are indispensable for achieving the objectives of the Beijing Platform of Action and the SDGs.

Local and regional governments operate on the front line of sustainable development, playing a critical role in realizing these global agendas. Their contributions to equality, often overshadowed at the global level, are immense.

What should be at the center of the municipal movement agenda to accelerate the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action?

The constituency of local and regional governments stands united in its historical commitment to achieving true equality in all cities and regions. For over a century, the Municipal Movement has championed equality, justice, and empowerment from our cities and territories to the global stage.

The vision of the Feminist Municipal Movement is clear: our communities, our democracy, and the resilience of our planet cannot thrive without equality. Equality cannot be achieved without ending violence against women, including in politics, and ensuring a redistribution of power.

Women and marginalized groups must not only be part of policy outcomes but must also be co-creators at every stage of the decision-making. Local and regional governments, as the most responsive and inclusive level of governance, ensure that all voices are heard. To rebuild trust in democracy, the global multilateral system must engage with local leaders as equal partners, crafting public policies that prioritize people over profits and care over capital.

To accelerate the Beijing Platform for Action, the municipal movement is prioritizing the redistribution of power and resources, ensuring women’s full and meaningful participation in governance. This includes advancing local care systems, addressing poverty, and dismantling systemic inequalities in education and employment.

Gender-responsive climate action must also be central, recognizing women’s leadership in fostering resilience. By safeguarding democracy and promoting peace, local governments are leading transformative change. Our shared agenda for the years ahead integrates these priorities with a commitment to inclusive policymaking, equitable public service delivery, and fostering global solidarity.

What concrete steps can municipalities take to ensure the meaningful participation of minorities and marginalized groups in decision-making processes?

Grounded on an unwavering commitment to democracy, local and regional governments are ensuring the safe and meaningful participation of structurally discriminated and marginalized groups by institutionalizing inclusive decision-making processes. This includes establishing consultative bodies or committees representing these groups, creating platforms for direct engagement, and allocating resources for capacity building. Additionally, local gender-responsive budgeting ensures that public investments address the diverse needs of all.