The Andrews Labor Government’s Women Leading Locally program is officially underway with the first intake of the program meeting to discuss key issues in the sector.

Minister for Local Government Melissa Horne today welcomed the first 60 participants of the program at an event at the RACV Club in Melbourne’s CBD.

Throughout the afternoon, participants took part in networking activities, mentoring sessions, and also heard from Kat Henaway, CEO of Politics In Colour to discuss the importance of cultural diversity in politics.

The Program is designed to inspire and equip women to become successful local representatives for their communities and is being delivered by the Institute of Community Directors Australia in partnership with Women for Election.

Delivered over two years, 120 women will be supported through the program, with participants to also gain connections and tools to campaign as candidates in the next local government elections in 2024.

Women Leading Locally builds on the success of the Labor Government’s Gender Equality Advisory Committee (GEAC), led by MPs Kat Theophanous and Juliana Addison, who have assisted in the design of the program.

GEAC provides advice to the Minister for Local Government and the Minister addressing gender inequality in local government elected officials, with the goal of reaching 50 per cent representation among councillors and mayors by 2025.

GEAC draws on experience from across the sector to ensure local government can harness the benefits of equality for all Victorians.

The next round of the leadership program for the remaining 60 women is scheduled to begin in early 2023.

To find out more about the program, GEAC and other LGV programs supporting gender equality visit localgovernment.vic.gov.au.