Baw Baw Shire Council has reaffirmed its commitment to the Victorian Local Government Women’s Charter, and to progressing Council’s efforts towards increasing women’s participation in the key decision-making forums across the local government sector.
At its recent meeting, Council passed a motion to reaffirm its position as a signatory to the Charter and moved to appoint Central Ward Councillor, Jazmin Tauru, as a VLGA Women’s Charter Champion alongside Council Officer Champion, Dean Sutton, Council’s Manager Connected Communities.
“On behalf of Council, we are pleased to reaffirm our commitment towards the Victorian Local Government Women’s Charter,” said Mayor, Michael Leaney.
“Through the work of the VLGA, we are taking steps in the right direction towards gender equality for all.”
Councillor Tauru said she welcomed the opportunity represent Baw Baw Shire Council as the VLGA Women’s Charter Champion.
“We all need to make sure we are broadening our focus and applying a gender lens to all the work we do to ensure we truly reflect our entire community and their health and wellbeing,” she said.
“I look forward to my ongoing involvement with the VLGA Women’s Charter and hope to see real change happen across the local government sector.”
To identify and work towards equal participation of women and men in key decision-making positions within local government, a group of local government agencies came together to form the Women’s Participation in Local Government Coalition (WPILGC) in 1997.
By 2013, as the work for gender equity in local government gained support, the Coalition dissolved itself and action is now led by the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) and the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA).
Today, MAV and VLGA have obtained 74 Victorian Council signatories to the Charter, in their efforts to address the ongoing under-representation of women as Councillors and in senior management positions within local government, and to actively empower and encourage women to seek out these positions.
“The Victorian Government’s Gender Equality Strategy ‘Safe and strong’ identifies a target of 50% women councillors by 2025 – this will require a concerted effort from peak bodies, councils and communities, supported by the state government,” said Baw Baw Deputy Mayor, Annemarie McCabe.
“It is important that we continually raise awareness of and aim for gender equality. It is at the heart of a fair and inclusive society. By reaffirming our commitment to the charter, we will continue to promote and address the work that still needs to be taken towards improving gender equality outcomes for men and women in Baw Baw Shire.”
Council first joined the VLGA Women’s Charter on 24 September 2008 and has continued to advance its efforts towards gender equality in the workplace.
As of June, this year, Council’s Gender Equality Action Plan was approved by the Commission for Gender Equality and is embedded within the organisation’s operations and policy framework.
To view Council’s Gender Equality Action Plan go to Gender Equality.
