Victoria’s pedestrian crossings would have equal numbers of female and male walking signals under a new push for gender equality.

But some people think that the plan is unnecessary and would be a waste of time and money.

The Committee for Melbourne says having only green or red shapes of men at lights is unfair to women and girls.

The Committee for Melbourne is a group of people who work in senior roles in a variety of areas, such as business, transport and community organisations, who love Melbourne and want to make it an even better city.

The Equal Crossings campaign starts this week with 10 female pedestrian figures to be put up outside Flinders St station, at the corner of Swanston and Flinders streets.

The trial will run for a year but organisers are hoping to change the road laws to eventually see the same number of male and female figures at crossings throughout the state.

Committee for Melbourne head Martine Letts said the idea came from a group within the organisation, whose job it is to think about the future.

"We have been voted the world’s most liveable city six times in a row, and we should also aim to be the world’s most equal city," she said.

State Minister for Women and for the Prevention of Family Violence Fiona Richardson said there were many small but significant ways that women were made to feel unwelcome in public spaces.

"I’m thrilled to see pedestrian crossing lights use a woman’s figure," she said.

But Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle was not impressed with the move.

"I’m all for doing anything we can for gender equity, but really?" he said.

"Unfortunately I think this sort of costly exercise is more likely to bring derision rather than support to what is a very important issue."

The organisers of the plan want a gradual rollout of the female lights, as current ones break and are replaced by the female figures.

Evan Mulholland from public issue thinking group the Institute of Public Affairs said Melbourne had bigger issues to deal with.

"They should be putting their time and energy into fixing congestion on our roads," he said.