Manila is the second-worst megacity in Southeast Asia for women in 2017, according to the latest poll of Thomson Reuters Foundation (TRF).
The TRF poll showed Manila came second to Jakarta, which is the worst city for women to live in in Southeast Asia and the ninth in the list of worst megacities for women globally.
Manila is ranked 14th among the world’s 19 worst megacities for women mainly because of health care where the country was included in the top 10 of the list.
“While cities can drive development and reduce poverty, rapid urban growth can also create a new set of problems if the right infrastructure is not in place or policies don’t ensure the benefits of city life are equally shared,” TRF said in its report.
The Philippines was ranked 13th in terms of sexual violence and women’s lack of protection from harmful cultural practices, such as genital mutilation, child or early or forced marriage and female infanticide.
In terms of economic opportunities, the Philippines was ranked 17th, which makes it one of the best megacities to provide women with access to education, land ownership and financial services.
TRF said it conducted a survey in 19 of the world’s biggest megacities as ranked by the United Nations. They talked to 20 experts in women’s issues, including academics, non-governmental organization workers, health-care staff, policy-makers and social commentators.
The survey was conducted in 19 of 31 megacities listed by the UN with the poll only conducted in one—the largest—megacity in each country.
In total, around 380 experts were surveyed with 355 responses, which corresponds to a response rate of 93 percent.
“In the first poll of its kind, the Thomson Reuters Foundation asked experts in women’s issues which of the world’s megacities are safe for women—and which need to do more to ensure women are not at risk of sexual violence and harassment and harmful cultural practices and have access to health care, finance and education,” TRF said.
TRF added cities around the world are growing rapidly. The UN estimates that 66 percent of the world’s population will be living in urban areas by 2050, from the current 54 percent.
The report said the number of megacities housing over 10 million people has tripled to 31 since 1990. The UN estimates this will increase to 41 by 2030.