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Brussels parks now have a gender equality perspective

Brussels, Apr 25 (EFE) .- (Camera: Leopoldo Rodríguez) A group of women meet several days a week to walk through a park in Brussels. Together, they talk and think about the space they are traveling in search of ideas so that it can be more accessible and enjoyable for both, men and women.FOOTAGE OF A PARK IN BRUSSELS, BELGIUM. SOUNDBITES IN FRENCH.TRANSLATION:Roxanne Chinikar 1.- If we look at what the parks in Belgium propose, it is very common that there is only one football field, popularly called "agora space". They are closed soccer fields and it is the only option that is given, to play soccer. Of course, some women and girls like to play soccer but the field has not been designed for them. We know that most men play soccer.2.- That there is a more polyvalent and diversified sports offer is also a way to guarantee greater inclusiveness and presence of womenLaura Chaumont3.- We have found, even today, that how cities and public spaces are built does not include a part of the population. They are rather built by men and for men.This is a project that we started 9 years ago doing a good number of "exploration walks", which is a methodology that comes from Quebec and the US. It is about, with a group of women, observing a space. We take the time to walk together and have a slightly different look to analyze the sensations that one may have. If one feels good or not and tries to say why and especially what we would want to be different in these spaces if we wanted them to be more accessible and pleasant for us as women. Look at it from a different point of view than the daily routine to analyze the sensations they may feel4.-This slope is very steep, when you are up you cannot see that it is an entrance to the park and it is so high that for people who have vertigo it is not very pleasant to use it.For people who go with a stroller, who take care of a person in a wheelchair, or elderly people, it is complicated. We know that even today, due to persistent gender inequalities and the work that women do with children and the elderly, it is more common for women to take care of children and the elderly. They are therefore the most concerned when using this ramp either with children's bikes, wheelchairs or strollers. It is complicated and it does not make us feel safe, welcomed, and legitimized in this space. If access to the place is not easy for me, it is as if I have less right to go, I do not feel welcome and it is one more obstacle. It can have consequences on my health and on how I will feel in the park.