Plea for more women to stand for councils around South Australia at November elections

Females are renowned for taking a more collegiate and inclusive approach to decision-making - could this be what councils need?

So far women make up only 35 per cent of elected members so there is scope for improvement.

As a result, women are being encouraged to nominate for the 2022 council elections.

Women Leading Locally - It's Time is the name chosen by the Australian Local Government Women's Association's South Australian branch for its free information sessions for women who are thinking about nominating.

Branch president Cr Julie Woodman said women were "very under-represented".

"We will encourage more women to run in the November elections and we know that when more women stand up, more women are elected," she said.

"Despite the fact that women make up more than half of the population, after the 2018 elections only 35 per cent of South Australian councillors were women.

"There are so many capable women in our communities who, when equipped with information and encouragement, will make wonderful advocates for local residents.

"It is also important, as an inclusive society, that the composition of councils reflects the diversity of the communities they serve.

"Being a councillor provides an exciting opportunity to make a difference in your local community by making vital decisions that make your area a better place in which to live, work and raise children."

It is time now to think about nominating as a candidate and planning a campaign, according to Cr Woodman.

Nominations will open on August 23 and close on September 6.

Naracoorte Mayor and Local Government Association board member Erika Vickery said councils wanted to represent their communities and in many areas that meant having greater diversity including more women to stand for council.

"Being involved in public life is incredibly rewarding and women bring unique and valuable leadership skills, perspectives and experiences which benefit council decision-making," she said.

"In the lead-up to the 2018 council elections the LGA campaigned to encourage more women to get involved - and through these efforts we saw the number of women mayors in SA more than double to 22.

"Sometimes women don't naturally recognise the contribution they can make to their communities so if there is a woman in your life who would make a great councillor, tell them."

The branch will host nine Information sessions around SA and participants will be able to meet female councillors to ask questions.

More information about the branch and its sessions is on the website: www.algwasa.org.au