It was only fitting that in this the Year of Women in Local Government, the National General Assembly of Local Government would include a forum on women in Local Government.
Hosted by Wendy Harmer, the forum panel comprised:
- Pru Goward: Member for Goulburn and Shadow Minister for
Community Services and Women in NSW - Wendy Machin: President of the National Roads and
Motorists’ Association - Karlene Maywald: former South Australian State MP
- Genia McCaffery: President of the New South Wales Local
Government Association.
The panellists discussed some of the problems facing women today and how to encourage more women to join Local Government. Currently only 27 per cent of Councillors are women and only seven per cent of CEOs are women.
One of the key issues raised was the often negative perception that the media gives politicians in any form of government. Many Councillors and employees are facing constant criticism and scrutiny from the media and this doesn’t encourage women to want to take on these roles.
In addition, while Local Government has a strong attraction to women because it is the closest level to the people, State and Federal Governments are often seen as out of reach.
Women feel that at the local level they can be directly involved in changing things within their local community.
The panel also raised the idea of job sharing, something that has been trialled in some councils, as a way to give both women and men a good work/life balance. The ability to work part time provides time to be a devoted parent or fulfil other responsibilities and interests.
One of the other key issues raised was the fact that many Local Governments have their meeting times at 6pm.
This is a time that is difficult for households with children involved in sport and other activities. It also cuts across dinner time.
As a result, many female councillors are older women with grown up families.
