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Women in local government

We encourage greater participation of women in local government as councillors and senior managers, in recognition of ongoing under-representation of women in these roles.

Following the council elections in October 2024, Victoria leads the country in terms of the proportion of female councillors, representing 44.8 per cent of councillors. Sixteen councils now have more than 50 per cent of councillors who are women.

Women continue to be under-represented in many councils, however, with only 37 per cent representation of women in aggregate across rural councils. Seven councils only had one woman elected.

We support increasing the number of women participating in local government by:

  • Supporting the Victorian local government Women’s charter principles which are gender equity, diversity and active citizenship
  • Promoting the activities of the Australian Local Government Women’s Association
  • Promoting gender equity within local government to assist in the prevention of violence against women
  • Ensuring that our events and training encourage people to stand for council election are welcoming and accessible to female participants
  • Encouraging councils to consider initiatives which will increase the participation of women at political and community levels.

Research undertaken by Deakin University provides insights into the impact electoral systems have on women’s success in being elected to councils, including analysis over recent elections in 2016, 2020 and 2024.

Set out below is a summary of Deakin University's analysis:

Video

Resources

Celebrating 100 Years of Women in Local Government

The right to vote; the right to stand: the involvement of women in local government in Victoria is a booklet which details the legislative history of the right of women to be candidates for councils: a right denied from 1863 and allowed only from 1914. It was researched and compiled by Cr Helen Harris OAM and is published by the Australian Local Government Women’s Association (Victoria).

In 2020, the MAV produced a video to acknowledge and celebrate this important milestone:

External Links

Engage with us

Rosemary Hancock
inquiries@mav.asn.au