Strengthening women’s participation in local government

Fiji

Partner: Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) Pacific

Funding source: United Nations Democracy Fund

Issue: In Fiji, very little attention is given to progressing women’s representation in local government, despite the opportunities it presents as the level of government closest to the community and potentially most accessible to women. Currently, less than 25% of local government employees are women, with representation as low as 7.6% in two councils.

Outline: This initiative was designed to increase the participation of women in leadership and management roles in local government; increase women’s role in local government planning processes and increase the capacity of councils to ensure service delivery is gender-sensitive.

Impact: As a result of the project, a formal Women in Local Government (WiLG) network has been established in Fiji. This network has been highly innovative in providing support, capacity development, ‘womentor’ opportunities and a safe space for women to dialogue about topical and sensitive issues related to women’s role in leadership. The project also built strong and ongoing partnerships with a number of other IWDA partners including fem’LINKPACIFIC and the Fiji Women’s Rights Movement.

Other info:

• Where are the Women in Local Government in Fiji?
• Claire Rowlands Pacific Beat Interview Feb 2011

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