News

2010 Year of Women in Local Government

Background
In response to the Australian Local Government Women's Association (ALGWA) review of the National Framework for Women in Local Government - The Way Forward, the Local Government Managers Australia (LGMA) National board at its February 2008 meeting, adopted a national strategy to advance women in local government into executive and elected leadership positions.  A key strategy platform was the development and promotion of a Year of Women in Local Government in 2010.

To ensure this initiative was relevant to the sector, a national forum of representatives from local, state and federal government departments and local government elected and professional peak bodies was held on 2-3 September 2008 in Canberra.

In an overwhelming show of commitment, it was concluded that a national steering committee be formed to oversee the development and implementation of the Year of Women in Local Government in 2010.

Objectives
The Year of Women in Local Government in 2010 will be designed to raise awareness and inform the local government sector on the value and contribution of all women employed, elected and involved in local government.

The national steering committee will achieve this through the following objectives

• Raise awareness of the benefits of increasing the participation of women and of embracing gender equity at both elected and executive levels;
• Acknowledge the significant role women play in the effectiveness and long-term health of local government;
• Encourage councils to establish voluntary targets to:
       Increase the participation of women in decision making roles;
       Increase the participation of women in leadership training programs:
• Encourage councils to further expand their HR practices to promote gender diversity and flexible work practices.

Conclusion
The topic of women in local government and in particular women in executive and elected leadership positions is a long standing one.  All levels of government are acutely aware of the barriers facing women, yet the advancement, promotion and election of women into leadership positions has seen little improvement.

In order for our sector to survive, we need a concerted effort to raise the issue nationally through a sustained national campaign.  Only with this level of commitment and cooperation will the Year of Women in Local Government be a success.

Find out more about what is happening in Tasmania

Find out more about what is happening nationally.