Female leaders in the community are set to benefit from a $2.3 million investment to provide them with the tools and support they need to succeed in their leadership role.
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The funding boost comes after it was revealed women have taken a record leap towards closing the great gender divide in local government, representing a record 41.7 per cent of candidates in the upcoming December 4 elections.
NSW Minister for local Government Shelley Hancock, who spearheaded the NSW Government's campaign to increase the representation of women at this year's local government elections, said the funding will provide much needed leadership modules, toolkits and workshops for all elected female councillors.
It will also be used to ensure underrepresented groups on council including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People and young women are better supported.
Ms Hancock congratulated all female nominees on their decision to run for their council this year and taking positive action to close the gender gap, while making their local communities a safer place to live, work and play.
"It is wonderful to see this significant increase in the number of women standing for election, which puts us on a strong path to boost the number of female councillors serving on local councils across the state," she said.
"Women currently represent just 31 per cent of all councillors in NSW and the NSW government is determined to ensure we do all we can to support greater female participation in our local councils."
Greens lord mayoral candidate for Wollongong Mithra Cox said the funding will be a welcome boost for women, who have a lot more to think about when it comes to running for election.
"Most people don't realise that councillors are really poorly paid, which is a big issue when it comes to women being able to nominate themselves for the role." Councillor Cox said.
"We are paid well in Wollongong and we only get $30,000 a year, which obviously isn't enough money to live on.
"Women are generally in lower paid and less secure employment and often have care commitments of an evening, which is when council meetings are held.
"That's why you see so many elderly men on council because they have their superannuation behind them and the time of an evening.
"When women see their local council dominated by men it puts them off because it's usually a very toxic environment."
The record 41.7 per cent female candidates out of the 3,864 standing for the elections is a 4.2 per cent increase on the 2016-17 figures and a 6.2 per cent increase on the 2012 poll.
Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said the upcoming election will be a red-letter day for taking further steps towards equality in councils across the state, particularly in rural and regional NSW.
"Women already make a tremendous contribution to local communities across the state and we now have a great opportunity to bring more female representatives just like them to local government in NSW," Ms Taylor said.
While Labour Mayoral candidate for Wollongong Tania Brown welcomed the increase in women running for local government this year, she said we still have a long way to go to close the great gender divide.
"It's a shame it's not 51 per cent - women do represent half of the population so it would be nice to see 50 per cent of the candidates female and 50 per cent elected.
"I think the events of the last year and the rise of the #metoo movement young women are being seen as amazing role models, which is inspiring other women to find their voice.
"People are also getting frustrated that too many councils are run by elderly gentlemen
"It's a disproportionate amount and this really needs to change."
The upcoming elections have been cancelled twice since September 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
According to the NSW Electoral Commission website, a COVID-19 safety plan will be in place for December 4, and all residents across NSW will be expected to vote, regardless of their vaccination status.
Voters are encouraged to vote via postal, online and operator-assisted voting or at a pre-poll office to reduce the number of people attending voting venues.
It will also be mandatory for everyone to check in and check out of election venues using the ServiceNSW COVID Safe Check-in QR code and mask wearing will be compulsory inside the election venue.
However, voters who are subject to mandatory quarantine or who are required to self-isolate (including following a COVID-19 test) must not attend an election venue in person and will be encouraged to use alternative voting channels, where eligible.
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