Voice of Women in Local Governments
THE Standing Committee of Women in Local Governments conducted a meeting on the Congress’ first day, 5 September. Not exclusive for women local leaders, the meeting of the Committee received great support from members and partners in general. After session opening by Mayor of Catbalogan City, Stephany Uy-Tan, Secretary General of UCLG ASPAC, Bernadia I. Tjandradewi shared about the activities and initiatives of the Standing Committee towards women empowerment, including sharing best practices and organizing the Women Mayors’ Forum during the PrepCom3 held in Surabaya, Indonesia. Members actively took part in sharing their own efforts to promote women’s participation in politics and local development in general. Dormani Poudel, President of MuAN (Municipal Association of Nepal), recounted that in his city (Hetauda), there is a cluster consisting of 15-16 women who are trained so that they are able to contribute to their municipalities. The same practice, as it
turns out, is also done in Cochin, India. Mayor Soumini Jain of Cochin explained that it is called “Prosperity Family” Group and that it has been successful in empowering women so that they do not depend solely on their husbands to earn money. Councilor Ali Jones of New Zealand raised the issue of how to support women. Hansa Patel, Executive Advisor of All India Institute of Local Self Government, addressed this by providing examples of support which include free day care, free transportation for children as well as free education for women and children. The productive meeting recommended ways forward for the Committee, including to 1) ensure the minimum 30% of women representation at UCLG ExBu and Council is reached, 2) further disseminate information on the role of women in local governments, 3) activate or establish a women’s chapter or unit in the local government and in the country, and urge this to be done in every local government association, and 4) conduct a training for women local leaders.