Women in Local Councils Initiative

The Women in Local Councils Initiative was launched in 2006 and aims to enable local government in Northern Ireland to identify and respond to all forms of gender under-representation in decision making, employment practices, service delivery and partnerships.

The initiative has been designed to attract women into local government at all levels and to encourage those already employed to apply for higher graded posts.

This initiative was formed by the Women's Development Steering Group which is made up of members from a range of partner organisations including:

Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers (SOLACE)
Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA)
National Association of Councillors
Business in the Community
Equality Commission Northern Ireland
Institute of Governance at Queen's University.

Declaration of Principles

We have endorsed the principles below which underpin the Women in Local Councils Initiative.

We have also appointed one of our directors to lead the initiative, showing our commitment to this issue.

The councillors, employees and trade unions within the council fully commit themselves to the principles of equality and will work to support an environment which is free from harassment and which encourages the expression of and respect for a wide range of views.
The council acknowledges that in local government women are underrepresented in non-traditional occupations, as councillors and as senior officers. It therefore accepts that increased participation by women in these areas should be encouraged.
The council will promote a culture in which women feel able to participate fully in order to utilise their skills, knowledge and experience.
The council will vigorously oppose any practice which inhibits the recruitment, continued employment or career development of an individual because of their gender.
Councillors and employees will use language and conduct themselves in a manner which could make no other councillor, employee or member of the community feel belittled or degraded because of their gender.
The council will monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of this declaration and will engage with councillors, employees and the trade unions regarding any proposed changes to policies or practices.

More information

For more information on the Women in Local Councils Initiative please contact:

Catherine Christy or Lisa McDermott
Human Resources
Telephone: 028 9027 0571

You can also find more information on the Women in Local Councils website at www.womeninlocalcouncils.org.uk