Abstract
2010 was the Australian Year of Women in Local Government. This paper provides some background information on the Year, an outline of the activities undertaken and some thoughts on how to take the agenda forward beyond 2010.The most recent Equality and Human Rights Commission's (UK) report, Sex and Power 2008 Index was damning about the future prospects for women being equally represented in the UK Parliament. It looked at women in top positions of power and influence across the public and private sectors over the past five years, and suggests a worrying trend of reversal or stalled progress. Current data suggests the situation is not any better in Australia. Although half the population, women in local government account for only 30% of elected representatives and only 20% of senior managers in local government. Moreover, only seven percent of women are chief executive officers.
Highlights
2010 was the Australian Year of Women in Local Government
This paper provides some background information on the Year, an outline of the activities undertaken and some thoughts on how to take the agenda forward beyond 2010
In 2007 Australian Local Government Women’s Association (ALGWA) conducted a review of the National Framework for Women in Local Government called The Way Forward.[3]
Summary
2010 was the Australian Year of Women in Local Government. This paper provides some background information on the Year, an outline of the activities undertaken and some thoughts on how to take the agenda forward beyond 2010. Despite many initiatives to increase women’s representation in executive and elected leadership roles in local government, this imbalance has been the status quo for the last 20 years For this reason alone, the need to recognise, value and promote women in local government is as great as ever. For local government to strengthen policy debate and ensure local decision making represents and meets the needs of the communities it supports, both management and elected representatives must reflect the gender balance and social diversity found within their communities There are both equity and compelling business cases to promote workplace diversity and increase the participation of women in executive and elected leadership roles
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