Are Single-Member Wards Worse for Women's Representation? (Research findings from Deakin University)

[Online]. All Councillors and Council CEOs are invited to hear about the impact, if any, of single-member ward structures on women getting elected at the local government elections held last October. This research is timely, given that single-member wards were introduced into many councils for the 2024 elections, and it is only now that their impact on broad community participation and local democratic governance can be observed.

We will hear from Associate Professor Amy Nethery and her team from Deakin University’s Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation about their research findings, and there will be time for Q&A. The session will also include a brief overview of the MAV's program of professional development opportunities for councillors, and our program of support towards achieving gender equality and the prevention of violence against women across the local government sector.