“Getting Elected – Women Can” is the theme of a new Australian Local Government Women’s Association South Australian Branch (ALGWA SA) campaign.
South Australian women are being encouraged to nominate for this year’s local government elections to give women a greater say in decision-making in their local communities.
President of ALGWA SA, Councillor Betty Gill, said, “Our organisation wants to encourage more women to run and get elected in the November 2018 Local Government Elections.”
The United Nations defines 30 percent as the minimal percentage of women required for government to reflect women’s concerns.
“Despite the fact that women make up more than half the population, just over a quarter (29.3 percent) of South Australian councillors were women after the 2014 elections.
“The majority of council members elected were male (70.7 percent).
“Currently three rural councils have no women councillors.
“It would be a highlight to go past the 30 percent barrier in the 2018 council elections.
“Our motivation to increase female participation is not about ‘women for women’s sake’.
“As the level of government closest to the community, we believe it is important that councils reflect the diversity of the communities they serve.
“The more representative that councils are at the elected level, the more relevant their decision-making will be. “
“If we are serious about women taking their place as fully participating citizens in representative democracy, then we need more women to stand for election and more citizens to vote for them. “
“Our Information Sessions and Women Can resource, along with many of our current women councillors making their collective experience available, may help get them elected.”
