MIDDLE EAST - The Strong Cities Network hosted a webinar, titled “Protecting and Empowering Women Local Leaders in Building and Sustaining Strong Cities,” which brought together perspectives on the challenges facing female mayors, municipal councillors and other women in local leadership.
The webinar highlighted the harassment, intimidation and social pressures facing women in local leadership across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), calling for stronger reporting mechanisms, institutional support and community engagement.
The consultation forms part of the network’s initiative to address hostility toward women leaders, with contributions intended to inform a forthcoming practical toolkit to be launched at its global summit in Rabat, Morocco, in January 2027.
Gender-Based Harassment and Attacks on Leadership
Discussions highlighted two overlapping forms of harassment: abuse targeting women because of their gender and attacks rooted in the belief that women are less capable of exercising authority or should remain in domestic roles.
Women leaders also face online harassment, hate speech, misinformation, threats, and attacks on their reputations. These pressures can extend beyond the workplace, affecting their families and personal lives.
Participants highlighted how women may be targeted over their age, political affiliations, and private lives, particularly during election periods.
Women with disabilities may face additional bullying, further complicating their participation in public life.
The discussion also raised questions about whether greater visibility and the promotion of women into leadership positions increase their exposure to harassment, and how social status and community perceptions shape these experiences.
Strengthening Reporting and Support Mechanisms
Participants stressed the importance of ensuring that women know how to report harassment and that municipal institutions have clear procedures for responding to complaints.
Proposals included establishing dedicated offices to receive reports within municipalities or police stations, potentially led by women, as well as strengthening access to hotlines and other reporting channels.
The discussion highlighted the need to assess whether existing mechanisms are accessible and effective, and whether women leaders and relevant institutions have the knowledge and resources to respond to harassment.
Participants also pointed to the importance of legislation, psychological support and institutional assistance in helping women address abuse and intimidation.
Community Engagement and Safer Cities
The consultation emphasized that protecting women leaders requires more than individual safety measures. Social norms, family expectations, and local power dynamics can influence women's ability to participate in public life and perform their responsibilities.
Engaging families and communities was identified as an important part of addressing harmful attitudes, including those that undermine women's leadership and contribute to social exclusion.
Insights from the regional consultation will contribute to the Strong Cities Network's forthcoming toolkit, which is expected to cover risk assessment, digital and physical safety, reporting procedures, mental health and well-being, peer support, strategic communication and institutional responses.
The initiative aims to provide practical guidance to women leaders, municipalities and communities on preventing harassment and supporting women's participation in local governance.
