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Women’s Development Steering Group
The Women’s Development Steering Group was established by the LocalGovernment Training Group to identify and address training and development needs, against the background of the under-representation of women councillors and officers in the district councils.

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 drive the Women in Local Councils’ initiative, so that each council and political party is challenged and supported to make measurable progress towards addressing any gender under-representation, thereby creating a local government sector which more accurately reflects the community it serves.

In striving to deliver this mission, the Women’s Development Steering Group will focus on putting effective arrangements in place to meet the requirements of legislation and will develop effective partnerships with other key organisations to address inequalities and adverse impact in the local government sector. 

Our Culture
Four values underpin all our actions and relationships:

• Equity
• Fairness
• Engagement
• Opportunity

Influences on the Women in Local Councils’ Initiative

Gender Equality Strategy for Northern Ireland 2006-2016
Promoting gender equality is one of the government‘s priorities and the Gender Equality Strategy for Northern Ireland 2006-2016 provides a policy framework for the work to mainstream gender equality and tackle gender inequalities.

Key action areas identified in the Gender Equality Strategy reflect the focus of the Women in Local Councils’ initiative for councils and political parties, namely to:

• Increase women’s participation and representation in decision making processes
• Identify the causes and seek to close the gender pay gap
• Develop recognised good practice in relation to flexible working policies and work-life balance initiatives
• Examine the impact of childcare/caring roles for both men and women (particularly in rural areas)
• Raise awareness of gender related violence

Review of Public Administration (RPA)
The RPA has launched a far-reaching programme of change and innovation in structure and culture of local government and in particular its relationships with the community it serves.  Consequently councils have to reshape their governance arrangements and management of the workforce.  What are the implications of restructuring and change on women in the local government sector?  The initiative is focuses on women’s experience, looking at the impact of re-organisation.

Steering Group Membership

Membership of the Steering Group includes representatives from a range of partner organisations including SOLACE, NILGA, the National Association of Councillors, Business in the Community, NIC-ICTU, the Equality Commission NI and the Institute of Governance at Queen’s University.

Jane Morrice, Deputy Chief Commissioner, Equality Commission is Chair of the Women's Development Steering Group.

MEMBERS OF THE WOMEN’S DEVELOPMENT STEERING GROUP

Jane Morrice	Equality Commission for NI (Chair)
Heather Louden	Belfast City Council
Bronagh Hinds	DemocraShe
Paul Oakes	Equality Commission for NI
Catriona Reilly	Equality Commission for NI
Adrian Kerr MBE	Local Government Staff Commission
Lorna Parsons	Local Government Staff Commission
John Hanna	Local Government Training Group
Cllr Kate Lagan	NAC
Cllr Marion Mathers	NAC
Helen Hall	Newtownabbey Borough Council
Nora Winder	NILGA
Cllr Michelle McIlveen	NILGA
Cllr Betty Campbell	NILGA
Geraldine Alexander	NIPSA
Kate McCullough	NIWEP
Eileen Sowney	Opportunity Now
Valerie Watts	SOLACE
Secretariat
Diana Stewart	Local Government Staff Commission
Observer
Linda Buick	DOE Local Government Policy Division

CHAMPIONS

A key feature of “Women in Local Councils” is the appointment of Champions by the 26 district councils, by the five main political parties and by NILGA.

The 37 Champions are committed to maximising the profile of the initiative and participation in the programme of events within their respective areas.  They will also assist in identifying and sharing examples of best practice and act as the main point of contact with the Women’s Development Steering Group. 

Select this link to view the nominated Champion representing each council

Select this link to view the role specification of a Champion

DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES

The Declaration of Principles, which was drafted with the assistance of the Equality Commission, was brought to the attention of Councils in December 2005 for formal endorsement.

Select this link to view the Declaration of Principles