CLGF has chosen International Women's Day to publish its web and Facebook pages dedicated to the new Commonwealth Women in Local Government Network - ComWLG.

As CLGF members and associates from across the Commonwealth mark International Women's Day 2018, CLGF offers congratulations to all the remarkable women who have achieved so much - internationally, regionally and, very importantly, locally; and also to the men who have played a part in bringing about change. However, while significant progress has been made, and the important advocacy and campaigning work continues, statistics show that there is still much to do to achieve full parity and equality of opportunity in many areas. 

CLGF is committed to gender equality and to SDG 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls; and is focusing on the role of women in public life and, in particular, in local governance. To take this work forward, the Commonwealth Women in Local Government Network (ComWLG) was formally launched at the recent Commonwealth Local Government conference held in Valletta, Malta in November 2017. Following on from the launch and to coincide with today's International Women's Day, CLGF is publishing the official web and Facebook pages for this exciting new network. 

The aim of ComWLG is to support women to play more active and effective role as leaders, representatives and decision-makers. Although only recently created, ComWLG will work with individuals, associations and ministries to help extend the network to become a support mechanism across the Commonwealth. ComWLG recognises and welcomes the input of men as well as women.  

Find out why this new network is so important by watching clips from the launch event of H E Coleiro Preca, President of Malta; Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC, Commonwealth Secretary-General; and Helen Clark, CLGF Patron and former Prime Minister of New Zealand and UNDP Administrator.

More content will be added to both the website and Facebook as ComWLG takes shape and the Network is taken forward in individual countries and regions; with case studies and profiles of inspiring women in communities and public service. Buumba Malambo is an inspiring, young female councillor from Zambia who is making a real difference to her community.  Gertrude Rose Gamwera is one of a few women to take on the role of secretary-general of a local government association, presiding over the Uganda Local Government Association (ULGA) and deploying tenacious networking skills.  

For more information about the network, visit the ComWLG Facebook group and web page. Please include #ComWLG in any tweets.