Equalizer - a tool for equal and including activity locations

Purpose and goal

The goal of the project has been to, together with users, discover and understand why many activity locations have so few female users. After having identified obstacles for use we try out how to transform places in ways that disturb repetition of existing patterns and to become more equal and including. We have examined physical sollutions as well as more organizational ones. Through the project we also want to stimulate debate and attention on an important issue.

Expected results and effects

Prototypes has been bulit and tried out in two different places in Malmö. During the project there has been different events arranged in collaboration with users, for example dance, basket game and football game. The method of disturbance has evolved as a way of making existing standards in a certain place visible. It means that girls are using places that are usually dominated by men. A conclusion/tool box has been put together in which experiences from the project are summarized and the goal is to inspire how to do this kind of process.

Planned approach and implementation

First we choose places and users. Different types of activity locations were studied. The method of disturbances were developed and got a central position in the process. Disturbances turned out to be both a way of examining places with users as well as a way of breaking gender standards. Through experiences gained by distubances obstacles were identified. Through dialogue solutions to overcome obstacles and support a more including use were developed. Some of the solutions are tested as prototypes in different places. Throughout the project theoty and practice have been connected.