Quito: a city committed to prevent sexual harassment in public spaces

The city of Quito in Ecuador is committed to the prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls, including sexual harassment in public spaces. As part of UN Women’s Safe Cities Global Initiative, Quito is one of the five pioneer cities working to secure public spaces through the Safe Cities programme, established in 2011.Sexual harassment and other forms of sexual violence in public spaces are an everyday occurrence for women and girls around the world. It happens on streets, public transport and parks, in and around schools and workplaces, in public sanitation facilities and water and food distribution sites, or in their own neighborhoods. This reality reduces women’s and girls’ freedom of movement. It reduces their ability to participate in school, work and in public life. It limits their access to essential services, and enjoyment of cultural and recreational opportunities. It also negatively impacts their health and well-being. The video that we present here illustrates the main areas of action currently undertaken by the Municipality of Quito, in collaboration with UN Women, and many local stakeholders, such as grassroots women and women’s organizations, public transportation systems, and the media. This work would not be possible without critical support by the people of Spain through its Spanish Agency for Development Cooperation (AECID).Quito will host the Third United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III) in October 2016.