Standing Up
Standing up is a program being run by the WAWAs to encourage women from the community to consider standing for Council.
Women continue to be underrepresented at all levels of political leadership, including Local Government. This has improved over the last decade, however there is still work to be done. In Western Australia, the current average of women elected to Local Government Councils is 40%.
When women are involved in politics, societies are more equitable and democracy is both strengthened and enhanced. However the greatest obstacles to women’s entry into politics include prejudice and cultural perceptions about the role of women, together with a lack of financial resources.
The Standing Up program aims to increase the number of females elected to Local Governments in Western Australia by:
· Empowering more local women to Stand Up for election
· Providing election campaigning advice
· Networking with other women currently elected in Local Governments
· Providing support during their campaigns
Achieving gender equity in politics will not happen unless women are encouraged to stand and are supported through their campaigning journeys.
History
In February and March 2003 Marion Blair and Anne Banks-McAllister conducted 14 workshops around Western Australia for women considering nominating for the 2003 elections. This major project was possible due to generous funding from the Department of Local Government and Regional Development, the Office of Women's Policy and the Federal Department of Local Government, Regional Development and Territories.
The project was a success, with a number of women being elected to Local Government at that time and numbers increasing ever since.
The current Standing Up program was then held from July to September 2021, reaching over 120 women in the lead up to the WA Local Government Elections in October 2021. Chontelle Stone and Karen Wheatland held workshops in 8 Local Governments across the state which included a presentation from the WAWA's, a panel of inspirational guest speakers, a Q&A session and networking morning tea. Unfortunately due to COVID-19 and snap lockdowns, some of the Standing Up sessions had to be cancelled.
Outcomes
Our goal is to increase the number of women Standing Up and nominating for Council, which hopefully helps more women get elected to Local Government, therefore increasing the average % of female representation in Local Government elected offices. Through the Standing Up program, we wish to:
- Aim for the target of 45% female representation in WA Local Government
- Ensure there are NO all-male Councils elected in 2025
- Increase the number of women in the Dozen in Danger Councils
- Ensure there are no further additions to the Dozen in Danger Councils
- Increase the % of women elected in the Midwest, Gascoyne, Wheatbelt and Peel regions
- Increase the % of women elected to Canning, South Perth, East Fremantle, Mundairing, Joondalup and Nedlands
Workshops
The WAWAs have continued to encourage potential female candidates by facilitating Standing Up workshops leading up to local government elections. These workshops are provided directly by members of the Committee, or through the network of existing female councillors throughout the State. To find out when these are being held, check out our events page.
Election Guide
|
|
|
|
 |
|
To make it easier for candidates to run an election campaign, we have created an Election Guide. This guide runs through a number of tips and tricks on how to run a successful election campaign. |
Current Statistics
Each year, the WAWA’s compile a list of all Local Governments to evaluate the gender balance on Councils across WA. As there are a number of bi-elections held in different Local Governments throughout the year, the WAWAs continued to monitor the gender balance across WA in October regardless of whether i to be consistent with the election cycles. The results are below:
The WA Local Government elections are held every 2 years in October, with the next one due in 2023. Please see the WA Electoral Commission website for dates, eligibility and information about how to nominate for election for your local council.
Previous Statistics
At the conclusion of the Local Government Elections in October 2021, and the extraordinary elections held in November and December 2021, The results are represented below:
See the complete statistical breakdown from the October 2021 elections
Sponsored by:
 |
 |