Recent years have witnessed concerted efforts to foster and empower girls and women in their pursuit of engineering interests. The active involvement of women plays a pivotal role in propelling innovation, advancing technology, and forging a more inclusive and diverse engineering community. The IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE) stands as a global network comprising IEEE members and dedicated volunteers, committed to championing women's participation and leadership in engineering and science, and igniting a passion for STEM careers among young girls worldwide. Among their noteworthy initiatives is their integral role in the upcoming 9th IEEE International Smart Cities Conference 2023 (ISC2 2023). This year's 9th edition of the IEEE ISC2 2023 proudly features a dedicated session thoughtfully organized by the IEEE WIE UK and Ireland Affinity Group with WIE Romania AG sister participation.

 The smart city concept has gained significant importance in today's rapidly evolving world. These cities leverage technology and innovation to enhance the quality of life for their residents. However, it is crucial to ensure that the benefits of smart cities are accessible to everyone and that no one is left behind. This session aims to discuss the obstacles that communities face in addition to the opportunities that knowledge transfer through digital tools. The workshop will delve into the ways in which groundbreaking initiatives centered around Nexus disciplines can influence and enhance the involvement of communities in smart city development, fostering active participation and inclusive decision-making processes.

The session will explore the role of women in shaping inclusive smart cities and how we can empower individuals to actively participate in the decision-making processes.