As the world marks International Women’s Day, cities across Europe are celebrating the achievements of women and advocating for gender equality. Against a backdrop of rising anti-feminist sentiments and challenges to women’s rights, this year’s celebrations hold particular significance.
A tradition of feminism and solidarity
European cities have a longstanding tradition of championing women’s rights. In recent years, with growing anti-gender movements and increasing threats to feminist achievements, cities have become critical players in defending these rights. “Gender equality is the key to democracy and to inclusive urban policy,” emphasises Marina Hanke, Chair of the Eurocities Task Force on Women’s Rights & Gender Equality.
To be truly inclusive, cities must consider women of all ages and backgrounds when crafting policies. It is also essential for cities to promote equal representation of women in governance. Austria recently celebrated a win for feminism with the appointment of a new women’s minister, demonstrating progress at the national level.
“We must claim a fair share of time and space in all areas of life, including setting clear rules for women’s share of representation in politics,” stresses Hanke.
To celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, city leaders are highlighting the achievements of women past and present and reinforcing their role in the movement towards gender equality. Cities like Nantes, Dublin, Glasgow, and Vienna serve as inspirations for innovative approaches to gender equality in urban policy.
Women leaders at the forefront: Nantes
To celebrate the 80th anniversary of women’s right to vote in France, the city of Nantes is highlighting women’s involvement in community and civic life. Throughout the month of March, there will be over 100 events hosted by the city, museums, associations, and community centres dedicated to celebrating women and commemorating their contributions to the city. Nantes is also issuing a call for contributions from citizens to feminise street names to acknowledge the women who have played a role in the city’s history.
Nantes is working to be the first non-sexist city in France, this includes celebrating the female side of history of our city.
“Nantes is working to be the first non-sexist city in France, this includes celebrating the female side of history of our city,” says Mahaut Bertu, Deputy Mayor of Nantes.
Women as city futurists: Glasgow
As Glasgow celebrates its 850th birthday this year, it will honour women who shaped its history by telling the stories of “forgotten women” and highlighting the voices of modern female leaders.
Additionally, the city is creating urban policies with a particular emphasis on gender equality. Glasgow is collaborating with girls in local schools to analyse the future of the city and assess whether its just transition plan truly benefits women. Glasgow recognises that these young girls will inherit the city and thus refers to them as the “city futurists.”
“Women are the real architects of society,” says Glasgow Councillor Annette Christie, “we don’t just talk, we take action.”
Women are the real architects of society; we don’t just talk, we take action.
Glasgow has also embraced the principle that everything everywhere begins with a mother. The concept of “Mother Glasgow” will be a key focus for the city in 2025, and government leaders are working with local girls to design a public art installation dedicated to “her.” This will be a space intended for young families with children to relax and for mothers to feed their babies.
Travelling in a woman’s shoes: Dublin
An essential component of sustainable development in cities is public transportation. However, many women do not feel safe travelling alone, particularly at night. Last July, the city of Dublin held a roundtable for women to highlight their experience using public transit in the city. They shared safety concerns and told stories, and the event was described as eye opening for many of the men in the room.
To address this issue, Dublin has established a pilot “safe zone” in the centre of the city. The safe zone is active between 20:00 and 03:00 every night and is located near the city’s nightlife. If a person feels unsafe or is unable to get home by themselves, they can go to the safe zone for support. The pilot has been extremely successful, and it marks one step towards building a city where women can safely participate in community activities.
More time, more space, more opportunities: Vienna
In 2022, the city of Vienna disseminated a survey titled, “Vienna as She Wants.” The goal of the survey was to understand the experience of women living in Vienna and identify their needs for the future. With over 15,000 participants and more than 77,000 responses, this was the largest women’s survey Vienna has ever done.
The results sent a clear message to policymakers. Women in Vienna want more time, more space, and more opportunities. These three principles now serve as the foundation for future initiatives to improve the lives of women in the city.
As Vienna City Councillor Susanne Haase describes, “Vienna is not only committed to gender equality but actively working to change structures and give women a stronger voice.” After all, she states, “gender equality is a social protest.”
Gender equality is a social protest.
A movement to defend democracy and human rights
The actions of these cities are particularly important as Europe faces an era of political and social polarisation. Lina Galvez, MEP and Chair of the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality, warns of the international backlash arising against gender equality and human rights. She stresses the need for cities to play a vital role in building a bottom-up feminist movement. “Feminism is the most democratic movement of the 20th and 21st centuries,” she declares, calling for an international alliance of cities to push back against anti-feminist narratives.
Kata Tüttő, Vice Mayor of Budapest and (only the second woman) President of the European Committee of the Regions, describes her vision of women as stabilisers of society. “Women have always been the weavers of society, keeping it together,” she says. She sees a similar role for cities in the current moment. Cities must step up with energy, optimism, and collaboration to strengthen the fabric of the European Union.
Women have always been the weavers of society, keeping it together.
“We have to be the ones who stabilise during this time. We have to be the ones who bring convergence. We have to be the ones who show solidarity, compassion, and understanding,” she adds.
As women’s rights come under attack across the globe, these International Women’s Day celebrations are not just symbolic but serve as powerful actions toward a more equitable future.
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These opinions were gathered as part of an online event organised by the Eurocities Task Force on Gender Equality and Women’s Rights, to celebrate International Women’s Day 2025.
