A/74/255 together, articles 3, 7 and 13 of the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women guarantee equality in public and cultural life, underscoring that women have equal rights to access and enjoy public spaces. In their public space policies, public authorities must fully implement commitments in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to gender equality (Goal 5), including full equality in public life (target 5.5), and must pay “special attention” to the needs of women in providing adequate hygiene and sanitation (target 6.2) and safe, accessible transport systems (target 11.2). 39. In practice, women – half the public – often face considerable obstacles in accessing the public sphere and participating in public life in equality, owing to threats, harassment and violence, 32 as well as socially constructed gender norms. 33 As one woman expressed it: “When we visit public space, we visit the space of men. ” According to a social geographer, oftentimes “men control public space”. 34 This may be reflected in restrictions on women going out alone or at night and the imposition of “modest” dress. Public authorities must respond effectively to gender-based threats, violence and exclusion. 40. De facto and de jure norms which exclude women altogether from certain public spaces, such as stadiums, mixed concerts, cafés, places of worship or heritage sites, are incompatible with international human rights norms and must be abrogated. Advocacy efforts such as the Open Stadium campaign in the Islamic Republic of Iran, 35 or working for the right of women to attend sporting events with men, to “take back the night” in many places, or to document harassment in public places, such as the HarassMap of Egypt, are vital and merit support. Culture, tradition and cultural rights are not acceptable justifications for excluding women from enjoying their rights to access and enjoy public spaces in equality and dignity. The Special Rapporteu r salutes the recent judgment of the Supreme Court of India, sparked by women ’s campaigns for access, recognizing that exclusion from a temple violates the fundamental rights of women to equality, liberty and freedom of religion. 36 41. Additionally, specific characteristics of public space may be conducive to, or restrict, women’s enjoyment of their cultural rights. The involvement of experts with a gender-sensitive perspective in public management can create more inclusive environments, as conscious and unconscious gender biases are deconstructed. 37 Authorities can, for example, improve municipal transportation by remodelling bus and trolley stops to provide secure transfer and waiting areas, and train staff to intervene in cases of harassment. Well-designed public spaces can also improve the safety of public streets for increased freedom of movement for women, or ensure access to adequate menstrual hygiene in safe, adequate public restrooms in public places, including schools. 38 Positive collaborations with local authorities to adopt __________________ 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 12/24 http://habitat3.org/wp-content/uploads/Habitat-III-the-conference.pdf. UN-Women, “Safe cities and safe public spaces: global results report”; and CCPR/C/JAM/CO/4. See A/67/287, para. 47; see also International Action Network for Gender Equity and Law, “Women, cultural rights and public spaces; analysis and recommendatio ns to advance women’s human rights” (2019); contribution from Mali; and http://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/ 2018/01/11/577154367/apps-let-women-say-metoo-about-street-harassment?t=1563710749649. Milota Sidrorova, “Woman’s Rights to the City. Amman in Context”, interview by Women Public Space Prague (24 February 2017). See @OpenStadiums handle on Twitter. Indian Young Lawyers Association vs The State of Kerala , writ petition (civil) No. 373 of 2006, Supreme Court of India, judgment of 28 September 2018. Family restrooms and lactation spaces can make public spaces more welcoming to women who have childcare responsibilities. See URBACT Gender Equal Cities initiative. “Women’s menstrual health should no longer be a taboo, say United Nations human rights experts”, 8 March 2019. Available at www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx? NewsID=24256&LangID=E. 19-13014