The Australian Local Government Women’s Association SA (ALGWA SA) is encouraging women to nominate for their councils in this year’s 2022 local government elections.
President of ALGWA SA, Councillor Julie Woodman said she was keen to see more women run for council and were currently very under-represented.
“We will be encouraging more women to run in the November 2022 Council Elections, and we know that when more women stand up, more women are elected,” Cr Woodman said.
“Despite the fact that women make up more than half of the population, after the 2018 elections only 35% of South Australian councillors were women.
“There are so many capable women in our communities who, when equipped with information and encouragement, will make wonderful advocates for local residents.”
Cr Woodman said it was also important that “as an inclusive society” that the composition of councils reflected the diversity of the communities they serve.
“Being a councillor provides an exciting opportunity to make a positive difference in your local community by making vital decisions that make your area a better place to live, work and bring up children,” she said.
Nominations are set to open on Tuesday 23 August 2022 and will close on Tuesday 6 September 2022.
Local Government Association Board Member, Erika Vickery said councils wanted to be representative of their communities and in many areas that meant getting greater diversity including more women to stand for council.
“Women currently make up 35% of councillors in local government and there’s a real opportunity to increase the number of women on councils in the upcoming elections,” Mayor Vickery said.
“Being involved in public life is incredibly rewarding, and women bring unique and valuable leadership skills, perspectives and experiences which benefit council decision-making.
“In the lead up to the 2018 council elections the LGA campaigned to encourage more women to get involved – and through these efforts we saw the number of women Mayors in SA more than double to 22.
“Sometimes women don’t naturally recognise the contribution they can make to their communities, so if there’s a woman in your life that would make a great councillor, tell them.”
ALGWA SA is holding nine free Information Sessions Women Leading Locally – It’s Time across South Australia, where participants will be able to meet current women councillors and ask questions.
Women attending the information sessions will receive ALGWA SA’s free resource, Women Leading Locally – It’s Time.
The first session is at Campbelltown Arc Community Hub on Saturday 18 June from 12:30pm to 3pm. Registration is essential on https://bit.ly/3tbV5AA More information about ALGWA SA and its Women Leading Locally – It’s Time sessions is on the website: www.algwasa.org.au
