About Us

About Us

Women’s Development Steering Group

The Women in Local Councils – making a difference initiative is co-ordinated by the Local Government Staff Commission for Northern Ireland (the Commission).

The Commission established the Women’s Development Steering Group to provide strategic oversight to the Initiative.  Membership of the Steering Group includes representatives from a range of partner organisations including:

  • Business in the Community (BITC)
  • Democrashe
  • Department of the Environment (DOE)
  • Equality Commission NI
  • National Association of Councillors (NAC)
  • Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA)
  • Northern Ireland Women’s European Platform (NIWEP)
  • Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance (NIPSA)
  • Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE)

In January 2009 the Steering Group reviewed its membership and reflected on the achievements of the Women in Local Councils initiative and the lessons learnt to date.  As a result Jane Morrice, Deputy Chair, Equality Commission NI was appointed as an independent Chair and representatives from OFMDFM, Opportunity Now and the women’s sector were invited to join the Steering Group.

Our Vision

Local Government in Northern Ireland will identify and respond to all forms of gender under-representation in decision making, employment practices, service delivery and partnerships.

Our Mission

To achieve meaningful, sustainable change which improves the participation of women in local councils thereby creating a local government sector which more accurately reflects the community it serves.

Our Culture

Four values underpin all our actions and relationships:

  • Equity
  • Fairness
  • Engagement
  • Opportunity

Key Achievements:

  • A Declaration of Principles was endorsed by all district councils, committing them to the principles of equality and the promotion of a culture in which women feel able to participate fully in order to utilise their skills, knowledge and experience.
  • A unique feature identified was the creation of a ‘network of Gender Champions’ which brought a local identity to the initiative and acted as the change agents.
  • Each council agreed a Gender Action Plan which provided a framework to address any gender under representation and identify any barriers that might exist.
  • The provision of a calendar of events and development programmes to support the major themes of cultural change, work life balance, local democracy, capacity building and personal development.
  • A dedicated website designed to support the Women in Local Councils initiative at www.womeninlocalcouncils.org.uk
  • The Women in Local Councils week in March 2010 and 2011 which encouraged councils to hold events to coincide with International Women’s Day and raise awareness of women in public life and decision making roles.