Australia

In a Perth workshop, 23 women have been learning to run.

The women are fellows at a "campaign school" run by the not-for-profit group She Runs, aiming to equip them with all the skills they need to run for and thrive in office.

There's an unusual sense of calm inside Lisa Chesters' office.

A green square inside her clock is flashing as bells ring throughout the building.

But she's in no rush to leave. Gone is a Pavlovian response to bells, where everything is dropped to rush to the green-clad House of Representatives to vote.

Once-busy halls are all but empty. Events have been cancelled, the public locked out and political staffers left in their home states.

Just the politicians and their essential aides have travelled to Canberra for the Parliament to meet.

There are fears October's local government elections could see a return of all-male councils in Victoria, with concerns fewer women will stand because of coronavirus impacts.

The Colac-Otway Shire in south-west Victoria is one of 14 councils in the state with only one woman — for the past four years that has been Kate Hanson.

"Sometimes I feel like I really stand out because I am the only female on council, but most importantly I feel women need a voice on council," she said.

"So I'm really proud to fulfil that role."

Pregnant federal MPs have warned they risk being shut out of parliamentary discussions because of the failure to agree on virtual participation with video-conferencing technology when Parliament returns later this month.