Many modern cities still insufficiently consider the needs of women, girls, and socially vulnerable groups, limiting their participation in urban life and access to basic services, Anna König Jerlmyr, former mayor of Stockholm and CEO of the Swedish charity Arwidsson Foundation, said at a panel discussion at WUF13, Report informs.
"Today, too few cities are planned with the needs of women, girls, and marginalized groups in mind. The consequences are clear: limited access to services, a lower sense of safety, and limited participation in urban life," she noted.
According to Anna König Jerlmyr, the HerCity project was created in response to this, at the initiative of UN-Habitat and the Shared City Foundation.
She explained that the project offers a practical and flexible methodology for inclusive urban planning, based on the involvement of women in the urban design process.
"The initiative's main strength lies in its adaptability. The methodology has already been applied in a wide range of contexts, from Mozambique and Ukraine to Sweden. It combines digital tools, training, participatory methods, and real-world urban interventions," said the former mayor of Stockholm.
She also noted that, with the support of the Arwidsson Foundation, a national platform, HerCity Sweden, is currently being developed in Sweden, bringing together municipalities, the private sector, civil society, and academia.