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Local Government

Local governments are in a unique position to contribute to the global struggle for gender equality by improving the status of women around the world. Local Governments are the level of governance closest to the citizens and as service providers and employers have an important role in creating the conditions that encourage women’s political participation. In this special feature, we are collecting knowledge resources, case studies, stories and interviews from women active in local politics.  

December 27, 2021
In Scotland, all-male council urges women to stand for election

A Scottish council which has no female councillors hopes to encourage more women to stand in next May's local government elections. In the last elections in 2017, for the first time in its history, no women were elected t

December 27, 2021
In Australia, one of NSW's youngest female politicians calls for diversity as she enters local government

A sea of change is washing across New South Wales local government as more women and young people take up seats as councillors. Until recently, 22-year-old Imogen Draisma could not see herself reflected in the local council running her home city of Kiama, in

Clockwise from top left: Marilyn Strickland; Deb Haaland; Kamala Harris; Michelle Wu; and Kathy Hochul (Ms Magazine)
December 27, 2021
Ten steps closer to parity: wins for women in 2021

In just two years, the pandemic has threatened decades worth of progress towards gender equality.

December 22, 2021
In Pakistan, parties asked to award tickets to women in elections

Civil society activists have demanded political parties to award tickets to women aspirants for the local government elections to bring them into the national mainstream.

Adams names all-women slate of deputy mayors - copyright: Spectrum News NY1
December 21, 2021
In New York City, Adams names all-women slate of deputy mayors

Lorraine Grillo was named as first deputy mayor; Anne Williams-Isom as deputy mayor for health and human services; Meera Joshi as deputy mayor for operations; Maria Torres-Springer as deputy mayor for economic and workforce development; and Sheena Wright as deputy may

December 21, 2021
The faces of many candidates masked during the votes in the West Bank

During the campaign for local elections in the West Bank, many female candidates’ faces were replaced by a rose or a silhouette on voter lists and campaign posters.

December 20, 2021
In a first, hundreds of women contest local council elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

More than 550 women contested local government elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday, the election commission said.

December 9, 2021
Kwara gov signs law reserving 35% of appointments for women

Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, has signed into law a bill that makes it mandatory to have at least 35  per cent women appointees in the State Executive Council and other classes of political appointments.