BE A COUNCILLOR - WOMEN COUNCILLORS ARE OUTNUMBERED TWO TO ONE BY MEN
Be a Councillor Campaign
The equal participation of women and men in local politics, as our elected councillors and as our leaders, is an important condition for effective democracy and good governance. The Be a Councillor Campaign is based on the belief that local authorities, and political parties and groups, can do the best for their communities when they truly represent their place. Today, none of the combined authority mayors are female, and overall -, they make up only a fifth of political leaders, and a third of local authority chief executives - despite 76 per cent of employees in the local government workforce being female.
We all have a role to play in encouraging more diversity and harnessing the skills, experiences and knowledge of under-represented groups, including women - and including women from black and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+, and of all ages. The LGA's Be a Councillor campaign aims to increase the pool of talent from which councillors are elected, with a toolkit to help councils run local campaigns, and resources for individuals to consider whether standing for election is for them.
Whilst here in East Suffolk we still have some way to go our sitting County Councillor for Woodbridge Caroline Page (pictured) has now been joined by new District Councillor Kay Yule and two new women Woodbridge Town Councillors, Ski Evans and Sarah Thompson.
As a legacy to the centenary of the right for some women to vote, the LGA's Be a Councillor campaign has created a 'Meet Her' page on the website (beacouncillor.co.uk). The page hosts insights, stories and tips from existing councillors to promote the role of councillor to women and encourage them to consider standing for election.
LGA are also creating a Be a Councillor Women's Network for existing councillors and women interested in standing for election.
If you would like to join, please email beacouncillor@local.gov.uk
interested in being a local Councillor and standing for election? then email us and we will contact you for a meeting.
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