KarunaNews Story

From redesigning public areas to reallocating spending and inaugurating France’s leading center to counter gender-based violence, Nantes, the sixth largest city in France, is introducing more women-centered policymaking. Hundreds of streets now bear the names of women. School yards, once dominated by soccer pitches, have been remodeled to incorporate spaces for calm and creativity. Stations for breastfeeding have been built in the city center. Free tampon dispensers have been installed in libraries, gyms and other municipal buildings. In 2019, the city opened Citad’elles, a shelter for women victims of violence that uniquely provides free, centralized support 24/7, serving more than 5,500 women. The city holds several feminist guided tours a year. To better track the impact of its efforts, Nantes is establishing goals for key indicators such as female employment.