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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.  

World News

Australian local government NSW welcomes soaring number of women elected to councils

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Australian local government NSW welcomes soaring number of women elected to councils

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Communities across NSW can look forward to better, more representative local government following a dramatic rise in the number of women elected to councils, the sector's peak body said. MidCoast Council has four female councillors including one new councillors.

These include Claire Pontin, Katheryn Smith, Kathryn Bell, and Dheera Smith. Local Government NSW (LGNSW) president Darriea Turley said women now make up 39.5 per cent of all councillors in NSW - an 8.5 per cent jump on the proportion of women elected in 2016/17.

Communities across NSW can look forward to better, more representative local government following a dramatic rise in the number of women elected to councils, the sector's peak body said. MidCoast Council has four female councillors including one new councillors.

These include Claire Pontin, Katheryn Smith, Kathryn Bell, and Dheera Smith. Local Government NSW (LGNSW) president Darriea Turley said women now make up 39.5 per cent of all councillors in NSW - an 8.5 per cent jump on the proportion of women elected in 2016/17.

World News

Brighton & Hove: politician criticises trolls abusing women in politics

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Brighton & Hove: politician criticises trolls abusing women in politics

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A politician has called for an end to the insults that women receive on social media when they enter the political spotlight.

Kahina Bouhassane received a deluge of abuse on social media when she stood as the Green Party’s candidate for Sussex police and crime commissioner. The 23-year-old deputy chair of Brighton and Hove Green Party decided to speak out about the comments as she wants to more women to take part in political life.

A politician has called for an end to the insults that women receive on social media when they enter the political spotlight.

Kahina Bouhassane received a deluge of abuse on social media when she stood as the Green Party’s candidate for Sussex police and crime commissioner. The 23-year-old deputy chair of Brighton and Hove Green Party decided to speak out about the comments as she wants to more women to take part in political life.

World News

First three women of color to serve on Columbia City Council reflect on their historic elections

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First three women of color to serve on Columbia City Council reflect on their historic elections

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As the Columbia City Council begins its first full week of business in the new year, it also marks the start of the tenures for two history-making women. Dr. Aditi Bussells and Tina Herbert, who were sworn in last week, are the second and third women of color to represent the city on council.

Tameika Isaac Devine, who held an at-large seat since 2002 and left office last week, was the first.

As the Columbia City Council begins its first full week of business in the new year, it also marks the start of the tenures for two history-making women. Dr. Aditi Bussells and Tina Herbert, who were sworn in last week, are the second and third women of color to represent the city on council.

Tameika Isaac Devine, who held an at-large seat since 2002 and left office last week, was the first.

World News

Elections in India, one polling station in each constituency to be handled by women

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Elections in India, one polling station in each constituency to be handled by women

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The Election Commission, on Saturday, mandated that one polling station in each constituency should be managed by women in the upcoming Assembly Elections. This is introduced in a bid to facilitate increased participation of women in the election process.

The announcement was a part of the all-important press conference held by Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra where he asked the political parties to hold virtual rallies, keeping in mind the rapid surge of COVID-19 cases in the country.

The Election Commission, on Saturday, mandated that one polling station in each constituency should be managed by women in the upcoming Assembly Elections. This is introduced in a bid to facilitate increased participation of women in the election process.

The announcement was a part of the all-important press conference held by Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra where he asked the political parties to hold virtual rallies, keeping in mind the rapid surge of COVID-19 cases in the country.

World News

Kenya: Turkana women defy culture to vie for top positions next year

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Kenya: Turkana women defy culture to vie for top positions next year

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Women in Turkana County have been locked out of political leadership for many years due to culture. According to the Turkana culture, leadership is for men, and this has disadvantaged many aspiring women leaders, as they are seen as incapable of taking over from men.

Jane Apetet, who is contesting the Senate race, told The Standard that they have been oppressed by the culture. “Our culture is not giving women strength and voice. Normally we are separated from men during community meetings,” she said.

Women in Turkana County have been locked out of political leadership for many years due to culture. According to the Turkana culture, leadership is for men, and this has disadvantaged many aspiring women leaders, as they are seen as incapable of taking over from men.

Jane Apetet, who is contesting the Senate race, told The Standard that they have been oppressed by the culture. “Our culture is not giving women strength and voice. Normally we are separated from men during community meetings,” she said.

World News

Muslim women becoming politically active, encouraging others in the US

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Muslim women becoming politically active, encouraging others in the US

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Ruwa Romman is entertaining the idea of running for office. The 28-year-old from Duluth envisions herself running on a platform focused on health care, education, social justice and the economy. She also wants to shatter stereotypes and challenge barriers placed on Muslim women.

“The stereotype is that Muslim women don’t vote. They do,” Romman said. “I got politically engaged outside of my Muslim identity, but then I quickly realized my Muslim identity was a necessity to bring with me in this journey.”

Ruwa Romman is entertaining the idea of running for office. The 28-year-old from Duluth envisions herself running on a platform focused on health care, education, social justice and the economy. She also wants to shatter stereotypes and challenge barriers placed on Muslim women.

“The stereotype is that Muslim women don’t vote. They do,” Romman said. “I got politically engaged outside of my Muslim identity, but then I quickly realized my Muslim identity was a necessity to bring with me in this journey.”

World News

US: These 5 trailblazing LGBTQ politicians are running to make history in 2022

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US: These 5 trailblazing LGBTQ politicians are running to make history in 2022

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Every year, LGBTQ political candidates smash through rainbow ceilings in the fight to represent their communities. 2022 should be no different, with dozens of LGBTQ people already slated to run for both state and federal offices.

But here are five LGBTQ candidates we’re especially keeping our eyes on as they run to make history in 2022.

Every year, LGBTQ political candidates smash through rainbow ceilings in the fight to represent their communities. 2022 should be no different, with dozens of LGBTQ people already slated to run for both state and federal offices.

But here are five LGBTQ candidates we’re especially keeping our eyes on as they run to make history in 2022.

World News

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

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

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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 to the Western Isles' Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.

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 to the Western Isles' Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.